Explainers: How Official Statistics Work

Last updated October 29, 2026

Before you can check a claim, you need to know how the number behind it is made. These explainers walk through the official definitions and methods, with the agency sources linked and dated.

• How the unemployment rate is measured: How BLS decides who is employed, unemployed or not in the labor force, why jobless claims are a different number, and what to check before quoting a rate.
• How inflation (CPI) is measured: What the CPI covers, CPI-U vs. CPI-W, where BLS collects prices and what the index leaves out, so you can check inflation claims.
• National debt vs. deficit: The difference between the federal deficit and the national debt, what the debt includes and excludes, and how the debt ceiling works, from Treasury.
• Federal contribution limits, 2025–26: The FEC’s 2025–26 contribution limits for individuals, PACs and parties, what “per election” means and how Super PACs differ.
• The crime survey that counts unreported crime: What the National Crime Victimization Survey measures, how big it is, which crimes it covers and why it can differ from police-reported crime data.
• How GDP is measured and revised: What GDP measures, real vs. nominal GDP, why BEA publishes three estimates per quarter, and how to read a GDP growth claim.

Last updated October 29, 2026. Facts checked October 29, 2026 against the official sources linked above. EvenFacts is independent and isn’t affiliated with any government agency, party or candidate. This explainer is general information, not legal or financial advice, and it doesn’t take a side.