Normative statements are statements about what ought to be. Positive statements are statements about what is. ​"Low-income people pay too much for​ housing" is a normative statement. ​"The number of U.S. farms has decreased over the past 50​ years" is a positive statement. ​"Toyota expands parts production in the United​ States" is a positive statement. ​"Imports from China are swamping U.S. department​ stores" is a normative statement. ​"The population of rural United States is​ declining" is a positive statement.