Nationally, real GDP growth was 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is moderately strong growth, though a slowdown from the previous quarter. Strong growth in personal consumption expenditures and net exports were the key contributors to this growth. Government purchases continued to decline in the fourth quarter, and may continue to do so throughout 2014. Employment increased by 1.7 percent nationally in 2013. In both Kansas and the Wichita metropolitan area, employment grew by 1.2 percent in 2013.