What is NOT included in GDP?

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a measure of the economic performance of a country, representing the total value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period. However, there are certain elements that are not included in GDP calculations. Here are some key components that are typically excluded:

1. Non-Market Transactions: These include services and goods that are not sold in the market, such as volunteer work and household work (e.g., cooking, cleaning done by family members).

2. Underground Economy: Economic activities that are not reported to the government and therefore not taxed or monitored, such as black market transactions and informal employment.

3. Intermediate Goods: Goods that are used as inputs in the production of other goods, to avoid double counting. Only final goods and services are included in GDP.

4. Financial Transactions: Purely financial transactions like stock market exchanges, bonds, and other securities are not included as they do not represent production of goods or services.

5. Transfer Payments: Government payments such as social security, unemployment benefits, and subsidies are not included as they do not reflect production of goods or services.

6. Used Goods: Sales of second-hand goods are not included as they were counted in GDP when they were first sold as new goods.

7. Environmental Degradation: Negative externalities such as pollution and depletion of natural resources are not deducted from GDP, even though they can affect economic well-being.

These exclusions help ensure that GDP accurately reflects the economic activity related to the production of new goods and services within a country.