Massachusetts real gross domestic product grew at an estimated annual rate of 5.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to the MassBenchmarks Current Economic Index, released by MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy published by the UMass Donahue Institute in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

In contrast, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, national real gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 3.2 percent during the same period. In 2013, state economic growth outpaced that of the nation in three of four quarters. In the first quarter, economic activity in Massachusetts grew at a 3.5 percent annual rate versus 1.1 percent for the U.S. In the second quarter, the Massachusetts economy expanded at a 1.9 percent annual as compared to 2.5 percent for the U.S. And in the third quarter, economic activity in Massachusetts grew at a revised 5.5 percent annual rate while the nation expanded at a 4.1 percent rate.

To view the entire report, click here.