The U.S. economy surged ahead with a 6.9% annual growth rate in the final months of 2021 and achieved the strongest growth over an entire calendar year since 1984.
Driving the news: New GDP numbers from the Commerce Department show a remarkable acceleration in economic activity, much faster than the 5.3% growth rate analysts expected.
The bottom line: The numbers show just how far the economy came toward recovery in 2021, even with all the challenges that stood in the way of a full reopening.