People Keep the Economy Going

A report in January 2026 told us something important about our country‘s money. The report looked at the year 2025. It asked: what makes our country’s money grow?

Many people thought a new computer helper called AI was the biggest reason for money growth. AI is smart computer technology. But the report said that was not the biggest reason.

The biggest reason was you and your family! When people buy things, it helps the whole country. Buying food, clothes, toys, and going to the movies is called spending. All that spending by people was the main driver in 2025. It was the most important job for making the country‘s money grow.

The report said people are the backbone of the economy. A backbone is the strong bone in your back that helps you stand up. Just like that, people’s spending helps the economy stand up strong.

AI did help, but it was like a helper, not the main worker. A lot of the parts for AI computers come from other countries. When things come from other countries, it doesn‘t count as much for our own money growth.

The report reminds us that when families go to the store, they are doing an important job. They are helping stores stay open. This helps people have jobs. It is a big circle of helping!

So, in 2025, the real story was about people. Everyday people, buying things they need and want, were the biggest reason for our country’s money growth.

Vocabulary Words

Report: A paper or story that gives information.
Spending: Using money to buy things.
Growth: When something gets bigger or stronger.
Backbone: The main support that holds something up.
Economy: The way money is made and used in a country.

Comprehension Questions

When did the report look at to see what made the country‘s money grow?
A. The year 2024
B. The year 2025
C. The year 2026
D. Last week
What did many people think was the biggest reason for money growth?
A. People buying toys
B. A new computer helper called AI
C. Building new schools
D. The weather
What was the REAL biggest reason the country’s money grew in 2025?
A. Spending by people and families
B. Robots making cars
C. Rockets going to space
D. Kids reading books
What word did the report use to describe people‘s role in the economy?
A. Hat
B. Backbone
C. Wheel
D. Window
Where do a lot of the parts for AI computers come from?
A. From the moon
B. From other countries
C. From under the ocean
D. From the school library