Recent reports indicate that reductions in data collection by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics may be impacting the accuracy and reliability of inflation data in the USA.
Inflation data is becoming less accurate in the USA

Take a deep dive into the inflation numbers and the RBA’s decision not to cut rates seems inexplicable - Greg Jericho | The Guardian
Source: theguardian.com
Key Evidence
The New York Times article from July 30, 2025, explicitly states that the BLS is cutting back on data collection used for CPI calculation, which may erode the reliability of economic statistics. This operational change directly impacts the quality of inflation data in the USA.
nytimes.comnytimes.comCuts to Data Collection May Erode Reliability of Economic Statistics
What the Evidence Shows
The claim that inflation data is becoming less accurate in the USA is supported by recent developments reported in 2025. According to a New York Times article dated July 30, 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has been reducing or ending certain data collection efforts that are critical for calculating the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This reduction in data collection can erode the reliability and accuracy of inflation statistics because CPI calculations depend heavily on comprehensive and timely data about prices across various sectors.
While this does not mean inflation data is entirely inaccurate, it suggests a growing risk of diminished precision and potential biases in reported figures. Other sources from the UK and Australia provide context on inflation measurement challenges but do not directly address U.S. Data accuracy.
Therefore, while inflation data remains a key economic indicator, recent operational changes at BLS justify concerns about its decreasing accuracy.