This page focuses on the consumer, a key driver of the U.S. economy. The left-hand chart looks at the change in net wealth of U.S. consumers around previous recessions. The U.S. consumers have seen net wealth surge over the course of the pandemic, boosted by rising stock prices, higher property prices and excess savings. On the right-hand side chart, we highlight the stark difference in how spending on goods and services has evolved since the start of 2020, reflecting a change in consumer demand and behavior.