Advances in Business Statistics, Methods and Data Collection

6Measuring the US Digital Economy

Jessica R. Nicholson¹, Thomas F. Howells III², and David B. Wasshausen³

¹Research Economist, Bureau of Economic Analysis, USA

²Chief, Industry Economics Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, USA

³Chief, Expenditure and Income Division, Bureau of Economic Analysis, USA

6.1 Introduction

The US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is committed to advancing measurement of the digital economy. The rapid pace of technological change has required statistical agencies to develop new methodologies that capture newly emerging products, changes in consumer and business behavior, and novel ways to produce and deliver goods and services.

BEA has developed statistics on the domestic production of digital goods and services and on the value of digital trade. Digital goods are goods that rely on or enable digital technology; this includes goods that are transformed into a digital format, like a book or musical recording, and goods that individuals use to access these goods such as computers and smartphones. Digital services are services that are transmitted electronically or that support the development and maintenance of digital infrastructure. Digital trade relates to goods and services that are ordered or delivered remotely. The BEA statistics relating to digital goods and services were developed in the spirit of aligning with evolving international guidelines on digital economy measurement.

This chapter shares recent trends in digital economic activity as ...