measures of economic performance Flashcards
economic growth, inflation, unemployment, balance of payments
measures of economic performance (4)
- economic growth
- unemployment
- inflation
- balance of payments
3 major sources of increased costs affecting cost push inflation
- wages and salaries
- imports
- raising indirect taxes and reducing subsidies
costs of high inflation (3)
-high inflation is typically sudden so hard for economic agents to plan for future
-can weaken bop and result in loss of jobs and lower growth
- shoe leather costs
how can inflation weaken bop 3
- price competitiveness of exports decreases
- increasing demand for imports as local goods could be too expensive
- FDI will decrease as other countries will think its too risky
indexation and taxation
for long-term capital gains on investments, it adjusts the purchase price for inflation to reflect a more realistic profit and potentially lower taxes.
costs of deflation (4)
- Consumers might delay purchases, hoping for even lower prices
- Debt Burden Increases
- Business Profits Decline as prices fall
- If prices fall but wages don’t, unemployment can rise.
balance of payment effect on competitiveness of export and import
When inflation rises faster in one country but the exchange rate stays the same, exports from that country become less competitive in foreign markets, while imports from countries with lower inflation become more attractive
key measure of national income
GDP (gross domestic product)
use of GDP (2)
- measure of growth
- measure of living standards
how does economic growth effect living standards
higher economic growth > higher gdp > higher average income > more disposable income > more spending > better living standards
how does economic growth effect unemployment
more demand > more supply for firms > firms need workers > firms hire > unemployment lowers
limitations of gdp (7)
- does not measure non market activities
- does not account for black markets
- excludes negative externalities
- does not concern on standard of
living - there is risk of double counting
- errors of calculating such data
- does not consider income inequality
what is double counting in terms of gdp
the risk of including counting the products of primary sector, but then including it again when a good has been manufactured in the secondary sector using it.
how to overcome the double counting issues?
calculating only the final good value
advantage of gdp
- simple and general indicators that
every countries use to compare - useful for policy makers and
analysts to easily guide economic policy
limitations of gdp / capita (2)
- does not include remittance
- effected by fdi, but usually does not actually effect people of the country
what measure gets around the disadvantages of gdp, why?
gni, as it includes all domestic worker income and subtracts fdi influen
disadvantages of green gdp (2)
- putting monetary value of environmental costs is very normative and varies
- reduces gdp by too much to be feasible for a countries politics
types of measures of economic growth (5)
- gdp
- gdp / capita
- gni
- green gdp
- gva
nominal versus real gdp
- sum total of all production of final goods in the economy
- real gdp is the sum total of all production, but adjusted for inflation and thus, valued at a pre-determined base market price
what does gdp / capita describe and what problem does it try to face
describes benefits of economy on its citizens, helps economy understand the true average standard of living
what is gdp growth an indicator of
gdp growth, or the rate of change of gdp indicates economic growth and living standards
GDP growth measured by the change in total value can be misleading because
Inflation:
Rising prices can make GDP appear higher even if the actual production of goods and services stays the same.
why use real gdp growth?
Focuses on production:
Real GDP growth reflects the actual increase (or decrease) in the physical output of the economy.
disadvantage of gni (3)
- converting foreign currency is difficult as rate changes
- does not focus on well being or social factors
- does not focus on environment
gross value added
gdp minus indirect tax plus subsidies
use of gva
Measure of Production by Industry/Sector
why is national income measured (4)
- to build our understanding of economics
- to forecast changes in economy so all agents can be prepared
- to make comparisons between time and countries
- used to make welfare judgements based on living standards
consumption versus investment in terms of gdp (draw ppc, movement vs shift)
- Higher consumption directly increases GDP because it represents the final demand
- Investment contributes to future GDP growth by expanding the economy’s productive capacity
limitations of using gdp/gni to compare living standards between countries (5)
- quality of national income data varies
- size of unrecorded economy
- quality of goods and services differs
- countries spend different proportions of investments
- exchange rates dont reflect purchasing power
impact of ppp in international comparisons (advantages) (3)
- Compares Living Standards by comparing the relative purchasing power of currencies across countries
- can help us see what goods are cheaper elsewhere
- Focuses on Volume, Not Just Value
impact of ppp in international comparisons (disadvantages) (5)
- PPP is a simplified model and doesn’t capture all aspects of international comparisons
- Consumption patterns vary across countries
- non-tradable goods (like haircuts) can be cheaper in some places
-What’s essential in one country might be a luxury in another - may not be as relevant for short-term financial market fluctuations heavily influenced by investor sentiment and speculation
what does an increase in real gdp suggest
means output in the economy has risen
what do changes in real gdp represent
changes in the volume of national income
distinction between positive economic growth rate and negative
positive economic growth rate suggests a percentage increase in the countries output compared to the last period, whilst negative shows a decrease
Comparing GDP/GNI Growth Rates: Countries (2)
- Compare real GDP growth rates (adjusted for inflation) to get a clearer picture of actual economic expansion.
- Consider GNI for a Broader View
Comparing GDP/GNI Growth Rates: over time (2)
- see how a country’s GDP/GNI growth rate has changed over several years. This gives context to recent performance.
- Consider External Factors
types of transfer payments (3)
- welfare payments
- allowance money for children
- selling second hand goods, no production is involved
effect of transfer payments positive (4)
- can help with income inequality
- Governments can design transfer programs to target specific vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, unemployed, or disabled.
- provide a basic level of financial security
- Transfer programs like educational grants can contribute to a more skilled workforce
negative effects of transfer payments (2)
- certain transfer programs might discourage work because recipients have a guaranteed income
- represent a significant expense for governments.
transfer payments effect on gdp
there is no effect, since nothing new is produced the transaction is not counted