In the new environment of increased international trade and investment flows, human resources represent the key competitive edge of this interconnected global economy. The share the United States has of worldwide output is shrinking. This issue explores data that provide a snapshot of how globalization is affecting the economy and changing its very nature. The data include the following: the share of worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) accounted for by trade has exploded; the U.S. economy is becoming more integrated into the world economy; the U.S. public understands it is part of the global economy; a surprising collection of states rely upon exports for part of their gross state product; the relationship between economic competitiveness and economic growth is strong and positive; many of the largest companies are now located outside the United States; labor force growth outside the United States is much faster; immigration is important for future labor force growth; investments in education are increasing in the world while falling in the United States; the United States performs poorly in international comparisons of academic achievement; U.S. workers are among the most likely to participate in job-related training; education and training courses use a variety of instructional media; the reason for non-participation varied across countries among those who wanted to participate in training but could not; Western Europe leads the United States and Japan in producing science and engineering Ph.D.s; and foreign students represent a large share of science and engineering Ph.D.s in the United States, yet more foreign-national Ph.D.s are returning home to work. (Contains 24 graphs.) (YLB)