Fri Nov 21 19:50:51 UTC 2025: Summary:
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will not be releasing inflation data for October 2025 due to the government shutdown that occurred that month. The BLS said they were unable to retroactively collect the survey data necessary for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Real Earnings summary. Some data will be estimated using alternative sources for the November report, which will be delayed. The shutdown, lasting over 40 days, stemmed from a political impasse between Republicans and Democrats over government spending and healthcare.
News Article:
Government Shutdown Blanks October Inflation Data; Delay Expected for November Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced today that it will not be releasing key inflation data for October due to the recent government shutdown. The BLS stated they were “unable to retroactively collect” the survey data required to produce the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Real Earnings summary, critical economic indicators used to track inflation and wages.
The unprecedented shutdown, lasting nearly 43 days in October and early November, stemmed from a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over government spending. Democrats resisted a continuing resolution that would have kept spending levels unchanged, citing concerns over healthcare restrictions and expiring insurance subsidies.
The missing October data deprives policymakers and markets of critical information about the state of the economy. While the BLS plans to utilize “nonsurvey data sources” to estimate some figures for inclusion in the November CPI report, the report’s release has been pushed back to December 18.
The government shutdown had halted non-essential government functions and furloughed many federal employees.
September’s CPI showed inflation rising around 3 percent over the previous 12 months. The lack of October data creates a blind spot in the economic picture, leaving analysts unsure of the impact of the shutdown on prices and wages.