Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

An economic indicator that is extensively utilized and serves as a measure of the total worth of all commodities and amenities manufactured inside a country's limits in a specific period

 

Author: Josh Pupkin
Josh Pupkin
Josh Pupkin
Private Equity | Investment Banking

Josh has extensive experience private equity, business development, and investment banking. Josh started his career working as an investment banking analyst for Barclays before transitioning to a private equity role Neuberger Berman. Currently, Josh is an Associate in the Strategic Finance Group of Accordion Partners, a management consulting firm which advises on, executes, and implements value creation initiatives and 100 day plans for Private Equity-backed companies and their financial sponsors.

Josh graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and is currently an MBA candidate at Duke University Fuqua School of Business with a concentration in Corporate Strategy.

Reviewed By: Patrick Curtis
Patrick Curtis
Patrick Curtis
Private Equity | Investment Banking

Prior to becoming our CEO & Founder at Wall Street Oasis, Patrick spent three years as a Private Equity Associate for Tailwind Capital in New York and two years as an Investment Banking Analyst at Rothschild.

Patrick has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School and a BA in Economics from Williams College.

Last Updated:September 22, 2023

What Is Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

The Gross Domestic Product is an economic indicator that is extensively utilized and serves as a measure of the total worth of all commodities and amenities manufactured inside a country's limits in a specific period.

The great economist Simon Kuznets first introduced GDP, an indicator or metric to evaluate a country's economy and its financial strength, in the 1930s. They founded it in response to the Great Depression's tumultuous economic climate.

It is deemed an essential indicator of economic advancement and growth and is adopted by governments, enterprises, and individuals to evaluate the general soundness and might of an economy.

It actually necessitates summing up the value of all ultimate commodities and services created within a country during a designated period, typically a quarter or a year. 

This includes the value of tangible and intangible commodities and services created by individuals, enterprises, and the government, such as research and development, entertainment, and software.

It is usually expressed in nominal terms, indicating that it demonstrates the existing market prices of the commodities and amenities produced. Nevertheless, it can be corrected for inflation to offer a more precise representation of authentic economic growth.

One of the principal applications is measuring economic growth and development. For example, a surge in Gross Domestic Product over time is habitually viewed as an indication of a flourishing and expanding economy, whereas a decline in it can indicate shrinkage or recession

Despite its broad employment, this economic indicator has numerous constraints as an economic indicator. 

One significant criticism is that it does not account for pivotal aspects such as income disparity, environmental deterioration, and the value of unpaid labor such as caregiving and housekeeping. 

And this economic indicator solely assesses the quantity, not the quality, of commodities and amenities produced and does not factor in non-financial considerations such as happiness and well-being.

Note

Nevertheless, despite these limitations, it remains an essential tool for considering economic growth and development. 

By comprehending its strengths and shortcomings, policymakers and individuals can utilize GDP to make well-informed resolutions concerning economic policy and resource allocation while acknowledging its limitations and searching for alternative indicators of advancement and well-being.

Why is Gross Domestic Product important?

The significance of GDP varies on the nation, which allows us to see it from many perspectives.

We must remember that although it’s one of the widely used economic indicators, the government and businesses also have to take into consideration other factors when deciding how to expand their financial growth.

It determines the entire worth of commodities and services generated within the confines of a country during a certain period. It also provides policymakers and economists with an effective instrument to scrutinize the overall health of an economy and make well-informed decisions.

Note

The gross domestic product is a monetary device substantially used by a country's economists and policymakers to understand their country's economic balance and financial growth.

The following are some importance of GDP:

1. Measurement of the economic expansion 

It is an essential yardstick of economic growth. It aids policymakers in ascertaining whether an economy is progressing or declining. 

In simple language, when a country's Gross Domestic Product is rising, it means that the country's financial system is expanding within its borders. When it’s falling, it shows that the economic system of that country is going downward.

2. Increases in living standards 

Per capita is widely used as an indicator of a country's level of life. Nations with higher per capita usually have better living standards due to the fact they have extra sources to spend on healthcare, education, and other public offerings.

3. Helps with economic prognostication 

This economic indicator is a critical tool for forecasting economic trends. By examining past data, economists can make insightful predictions regarding future economic performance and determine potential areas of weakness or growth.

4. Guidance for policy decisions 

Policymakers often refer to its data when making decisions. For instance, they may employ this data to ascertain the appropriate level of government expenditure or identify sectors of the economy that require support.

5. Utilized for international comparisons 

It is a commonly utilized gauge for comparing the economic performance of different nations.

Note

It enables policymakers and economists to assess how various nations are performing relative to one another and identify areas that require improvement.

6. Helps in identifying business opportunities 

By scrutinizing the data, businesses can identify rapidly expanding sectors of the economy and invest in those areas to exploit new opportunities. Certainly, there are also other opportunities that help the business grow.

But the primary one will be the one that helps them expand their business and production in other regions.

7. Helps to assess the effectiveness of government policies 

Here the data can be used to evaluate the efficacy of government policies. For example, if a government institutes policies to promote economic growth and surges, it indicates that the policies were effective.

8. Aid to financial market analysis 

Financial analysts often employ the data to assess the performance of financial markets. By comprehending the general fitness of the economy, analysts can make knowledgeable decisions approximately in which to make investments for their capital.

9. Influences investment decisions 

Investors frequently refer to the data when making investment decisions. If it is on an upward trend, it implies that the economy is expanding and may present investment opportunities.

10. Provide insights into income distribution 

Gross Domestic Product data can be employed to analyze income distribution within a nation. With the help of the data, a nation can evaluate their employee's income distribution as well as their standard of living.

Let us understand it with an example if it is growing, but the gains aren't being shared equally. Generally, it suggests that there are issues with income inequality that need to be addressed.

Overall, it is an indispensable economic measure that offers policymakers, economists, businesses, investors, and analysts with invaluable insights into the health of an economy, potential business opportunities, and areas that necessitate improvement.

Methods of Calculating Gross Domestic Product

We learned about the concepts and their importance to the country. Now it is time for us to understand how it is calculated. Basically, there are three approaches we have to take note of, and these three approaches are used by a country in different ways according to the situation.

Several methods can be employed to calculate GDP, including the income, expenditure, and production approaches, each providing a distinct outlook on economic activity.

Expenditure approach

The expenditure approach calculates by adding up all the spending on final goods and services within a country's borders. This includes consumer spending, business investment, government spending, and net exports. 

The formula using the expenditure approach is

GDP = C + I + G + (X - M)

Where: 

  • C = Consumer spending
  • I = Business investment
  • G = Government spending
  • X = Exports 
  • M = Imports

Income approach

The income approach calculates by adding up all the income earned by factors of production within a country's borders. This includes wages, rent, interest, and profits. 

The formula using the income approach is

GDP = W + R + I + P

Where: 

  • W = Wages
  • R = Rent
  • I = Interest
  • P = Profits

Note

The income method focuses on money earned, the expenditure approach measures spending, and the production approach estimates the value of products and services produced. The choice of method depends on the specific circumstances and data availability.

Production approach

Here it is calculated using the production technique by summing the value of all products and services generated within a country's boundaries. 

The value of all intermediate goods (products utilized in the creation of other goods) and final goods (goods sold to consumers) produced by all sectors of the economy is totaled. 

The formula using the production approach is

GDP = VA + T - S

Where: 

  • VA = The value added (the value of the final product minus the value of the intermediate goods) by all sectors of the economy
  •  T = Taxes
  •  S = Subsidies

Types of Gross Domestic Product

As we learned, this economic indicator is a measure to understand a country's economic condition and its future growth. And to calculate It, there are different approaches. Countries use each of these approaches to calculate it according to their circumstances.

There are basically five types, and from these various types of economic indicators, we can get a nation's financial data, its financial and economic ups and downs, and also they are benignly used to forecast the future development of a country.

We can say that these categories of economic indicators have their purpose and characteristics. We will learn their basic fundamental motive and aims and also their respective characteristics. 

Nominal, Real, Per capita, Gross national product, and Gross domestic income are the economic indicator for calculating a country's financial stability. 

We will go through some basic types that help a country to measure its financial growth, population growth, per capita income, and different economic terms. 

Nominal Gross Domestic Product

NGDP is the essential measure that does not consider inflation. It is estimated by totaling the current market value of all final products and services produced inside a country's boundaries within a given period. 

A measure of this economic indicator is that if a country's services and products are increased to a certain point, then there is a high likely chance that it will affect a country's Gross Domestic Product.

Regardless of the fact that it may not account for changes in people's requirements of living or buying strength due to inflation, it can deliver a great concept of the scale and growth of a financial system overall.

This implies that NGDP represents current pricing for goods and services without accounting for changes in total price levels over time.

Here are some characteristics:

  • Represents the current market value of goods and services.
  • Does not account for changes in prices.
  • Can be misleading for comparisons over different time periods.
  • Provides a useful measure of the size and growth of an economy.
  • Can be affected by changes in exchange rates.
  • Widely used for international comparisons.

Real Gross Domestic Product

RGDP is an inflation-adjusted measure that provides an extra-sensible image of economic growth through the years. It accounts for changes in the pricing of goods and services, allowing for a comparison of economic growth across time.

Economists compute RGDP by adjusting the contemporary market price of products and offerings produced to a constant dollar price for a certain base year using a price index that includes the consumer price Index (CPI).

It's crucial to remember that real GDP has limits while being a commonly used economic measure. For instance, it doesn't consider non-financial aspects like quality of life or environmental effect, and it could not adequately represent the welfare of all societal members.

Some characteristics of Real GDP that you can refer to:

  • Accounts for changes in prices.
  • Provides a more accurate picture of economic growth over time.
  • Uses a price index to adjust for inflation.
  • Widely used as a measure of economic growth.
  • Allows for comparisons of economic growth over different time periods.

Gross National Product (GNP) 

GNP is a measure of the full cost of all final products and services generated via a country's population, both regionally and in foreign places. GNP takes into account the money earned by a country's citizens and enterprises from investments made outside the country. 

Economists measure GNP by way of adding up the value of all the products and services generated by a country's residents, no matter where they're produced. This comprises goods and services produced overseas by individuals and enterprises from the nation.

The following are some characteristics of GNP

  • Accounts for income earned by citizens and businesses abroad.
  • Takes into account a country's economic relationships with other countries.
  • Can provide valuable insights into the global economy.
  • It does not offer a complete picture of a country's economic activities.
  • Can be affected by changes in exchange rates.
  • Can be used to compare the relative economic importance of different countries.

Gross Domestic Income (GDI)

Gross domestic income (GDI) is an alternative measure of overall earnings received inside a country's barriers via all elements of production, together with wages, earnings, and taxes.

GDI is computed by summing up all money gained in the creation of products and services rather than simply calculating the ultimate value of those items and services. It may be utilized to get insight into a country's income distribution and the general health of the labor market.

GDI, as opposed to Gross Domestic Product, gives a distinct viewpoint on economic activity by focusing on the revenue gained by factors of production rather than the value of goods and services provided. 

Here are some characteristics of GDI:

  • Focuses on income earned by factors of production.
  • Provides a different perspective on economic activity.
  • Can provide insights into the distribution of income within an economy.
  • Can be used to analyze the health of the labor market.
  • Uses different data sources.
  • Can be affected by changes in taxes and subsidies.

Gross Domestic Product per capita

As simple as other types of GDP, the PGDP is way too easy to understand. Here it uses the way of dividing a country's overall value by its population.

PGDP measures economic production on a per-person basis, allowing comparisons of economic well-being between nations and time periods. It may give insight into a country's residents' level of life since it indicates the average income received per person inside a country's economy.

For your reference, here are some characteristics:

  • Gives a per-person indication of economic well-being.
  • Allows for comparisons of economic well-being across different countries.
  • Reflects the average income earned per person within an economy.
  • It can be used to compare standards of living across different countries.
  • Can be affected by changes in population size.
  • can be used to evaluate how well economic policies are working.

Note

It has its importance and methods of calculation according to the situation. And these 5 types of GDP explained here help the economist to understand a nation's overall economic statistics.

Limitations of Gross Domestic Product

Now it's clear why economists frequently use this to consider or assess a nation's viability and economic development. Also, we can get a basic idea of a country's financial growth over the years.

However, it suffers from several shortcomings as an economic indicator. Policymakers must be aware of the limitations and supplement them with additional measures to obtain a more accurate understanding of an economy's health and progress.

There are some outside variables, like global trade and exchange prices, which may have an impact on a nation's export and import volumes as well as the value of its currency, resulting in an impact on a nation's Gross Domestic Product.

Below are some limitations:

1. Excludes Non-Market Transactions 

They only account for market transactions, such as the sale of goods and services, and ignore non-market transactions, such as unpaid work, household work, and volunteering. Consequently, it might fail to provide an accurate reflection of an economy's genuine economic activity.

2. Ignores Income Inequality 

It fails to consider income distribution within an economy. Even though an economic system has an excessive value, the advantages of economic growth won't be equitably disbursed to its citizens. As such, the hidden poverty factors in a country do not reflect on Gross Domestic Product.

3. Disregards Environmental Impact 

It does not factor in the environmental impact of economic activity. 

Note

They might increase due to accelerated manufacturing of products and services, but it does not account for the terrible effect of that manufacturing on the environment. 

Here, it may not appropriately reflect the sustainability of economic growth as a result of the fact that it excludes certain factors.

4. Excludes Underground Economies 

It only measures the legal, formal economy and disregards underground economies, including illegal activities or unreported income. This exclusion may lead to an underestimation of an economy's actual economic activity.

5. Neglects Quality of Life 

It measures economic activity but does not necessarily capture the quality of life of an economy's citizens. An economy with a high value may still face issues like poverty, inadequate healthcare, or high crime rates. 

As a result, we can say that they may not be a complete indication of a population's general well-being.

6. Inadequate Measuring of Economic Progress

It measures economic output, but it does not account for progress or advancements in an economy. For instance, an increase in Gross value resulting from increased military spending or healthcare costs may not necessarily reflect progress or improvements in an economy.

Factors Affecting Gross Domestic Product

The value of all products and services generated inside a country's limitations during a selected period of time is measured by using the gross domestic product, which is a key indicator of a country's economic fulfillment. 

However, just like several factors that significantly affect it, Economic activity also has an impact on Gross Domestic Product. Policymakers must take into account these various factors while devising economic policies to ensure sustainable economic growth and stability.

Personal decisions and behaviors, in addition to government policies, can influence it. For instance, consumer spending accounts for a large factor, and changes in consumer behavior will have a huge effect on total monetary growth.

The following are the factors affecting Gross Domestic Product:

1. Investment 

Investment is a significant catalyst of economic growth since it leads to improved efficiency and output. When businesses invest in new technology, equipment, or machinery, it boosts. Public and private investment both play crucial roles in stimulating economic growth.

2. Consumption 

A sizable amount of the Gross Domestic Product is made up of consumer expenditure; therefore, changes in consumer behavior can have a sizable effect. Consumer spending reductions during a downturn or a time of increased uncertainty might be low.

3. Government spending 

Government expenditure contributes significantly to it, particularly during economic downturns. When the government invests in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, or the military, economic activity, and Gross Domestic Product growth. 

Note

We must recognize that if the government of a specific nation spends more than it earns from taxes and other means,  there is a likelihood that the country's inflation will grow, perhaps leading to an economic catastrophe.

4. Net exports 

Refer to the discrepancy between a country's imports and exports. A favorable trade balance and rising value are the consequences when a nation exports more than it imports. And vice versa, if a country buys more goods than its exports, then the chances of falling is high.

5. Labor productivity 

This is another critical aspect that affects Gross Domestic Product. More efficient employees can generate extra goods and services within an equal time frame, which will increase economic production. 

Technological advancements, education, and infrastructure can all contribute to increased labor productivity.

6. Natural disasters 

We have to take note that a country's value might also get affected by natural disasters. Those calamities have the potential to interrupt economic activity, destroy infrastructure, and decrease financial output. 

Recovery activities can also boost value, although the total impact of natural disasters on the value and is boosted by the seriousness of the event and the large reaction.

Key Takeaways

  • Overall, we can say that the gross domestic product is an economic tool to calculate a country's or nation's whole worth of its products and services produced inside its border for a specific time frame.
  • Nominal, per capita, and RGDP are the most renowned types of gross domestic product at the global level. Each category gives unique insights regarding the economy's health and residents' level of living.
  • Policymakers and governments use it as an economic indicator to understand a country's financial standing and growth in the upcoming future.
  • This economic indicator is globally used by a nation's governments, but also it has its limitations in some areas. For example, non-financial factors such as standard of living and surrounding environmental influences are not taken into account.
  • Another key factor to keep in mind is that a nation's government activities, natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, IT development inside the country, and foreign exchange might also affect a country's gross domestic product.
  • Despite its limits, it is an essential economic indicator that gives crucial insights into a country's economic performance and possible development chances.
  • The gross domestic product is regularly used to evaluate the financial performance of various nations. This technique, however, has limits because it may be influenced by factors such as population size, natural resources, and political stability.

Researched and authored by Ankit Chaudhary | LinkedIn

Reviewed and edited by Naveeth Rishwan Habeeb | LinkedIn

Free Resources

To continue learning and advancing your career, check out these additional helpful  WSO resources: