Components of GDP: A Closer Look
Consumer Spending is further divided into three categories:
- Durable goods (e.g., washing machines, refrigerators)
- Non-durable goods (e.g., food, clothes)
- Services (e.g., dental work, repairs)
Business Investment has some specific considerations:
• It refers to businesses buying capital like machines, resources, and tools.
• It does not include individuals buying assets like stocks and bonds.
• Real estate always counts as investment spending, as new homes can potentially be rented out.
Example: If an oven is purchased for a home, it's consumer spending. If purchased for a business, it's an investment.
Inventories play a unique role in GDP calculations:
• Goods produced and held in storage are counted in the year of production, not sale.
• Changes in inventories serve as a valuable economic indicator.
Government Spending in GDP:
• Includes payments for goods and services in the public sector.
• Excludes transfer payments (e.g., welfare, social security) and interest on national debt.
• Comprises 16-17% of U.S. GDP.
The Income Approach to GDP calculation adds up all income earned from producing goods and services, providing an alternative perspective on economic output.