Improved Data Needed on New Businesses to Track Changing Economy

The federal government’s business data systems do not adequately measure dynamic economic trends, particularly for new businesses. In order for policymakers and researchers to fully understand business creations and failures, worker flows, and growth of productivity and innovation -- and their role in the larger economy -- a new report from the National Research Council recommends that statistical agencies collect more data on young and small businesses, and coordinate information across various sources more effectively.