Measures of Economic Health

These tables reflect measures of economic health in the United States at the beginning and end of Presidential terms of office. Measurements include per capita income, poverty, federal debt, and federal debt as a percent of GDP.

By any of these measures, the economy was more healthy during the Clinton Administration, which was marked by a Republican Congress and a Democratic Executive.

As these tables show, the total US debt is approaching unsustainable levels. The rapid rise in debt began in the Reagan adminstration.

Per Capita Income1
President	Outgoing	Incoming	Percent Change
Bush 43	$25,036 (2005)	25,200 (2001)	-0.1%
Clinton 42	$25,331 (2000)	20,989 (1993)	20.7%
Bush 41	$20,245 (1992)	21,370 (1989)	-5.3%
Reagan 40	$20,808 (1988)	17,386 (1981)	19.7%

Poverty2
President	Outgoing	Incoming
Bush 43	5.2% (2006)	4.8% (2001)
Clinton 42	4.5% (2000)	6.2% (1993)
Bush 41	6.1% (1992)	4.9% (1989)
Reagan 40	5.2% (1988)	4.9% (1981)

Gross Federal Debt3 Millions of Dollars
President	Outgoing	Incoming	% Change
Bush 43	$9,317,866 (2007 -e)	5,769,881 (2001)	61.5%
Clinton 42	$5,628,700 (2000)	4,351,044 (1993)	29.4%
Bush 41	$4,001,787 (1992)	2,867,800 (1989)	39.5%
Reagan 40	$2,601,104 (1988)	994,828 (1981)	161.5%

Federal Debt As % of GDP3 See Chart
President	Outgoing	Incoming
Bush 43	70.2% (2007 -e)	57.5% (2001)
Clinton 42	58.0% (2000)	64.1% (1993)
Bush 41	60.6% (1992)	53.1% (1989)
Reagan 40	51.9% (1988)	32.5% (1981)

Notes:

1. Census Data, adjusted 2005 dollars
2. Census Data, percent of people 50 percent below poverty rate
3. White House Data, Gross Federal Debt, unadjusted dollars