The economy grew. Pay didn’t. This chart compares cumulative growth in: \t•\tReal GDP per person \t•\tReal median pay Both are inflation-adjusted. Both are compounded over time. Same country. Same period. Very different outcomes. GDP tells you how big the economy is. It does not tell you how that growth was shared. If the economy feels strong on paper but tight in real life, this is why. Sources: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) • Real GDP per capita (BEA) • Real median weekly earnings (BLS)