Question

Which one of the following is an incorrect statement in the context of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)?

• A. GDP does not measure the sustainability of growth.
• B. GDP helps to understand whether economy is growing or contracting.
• C. GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities.
• D. GDP helps to understand shift in the annual changes in the country's economy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the context of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we are tasked with identifying the incorrect statement from the provided options. First, we need to understand the purpose and limitations of GDP. 

GDP is a measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a country during a specific period. Here, we analyze the options:

• GDP does not measure the sustainability of growth. This statement is true. GDP focuses on economic output but does not account for sustainable practices or the depletion of natural resources.
• GDP helps to understand whether the economy is growing or contracting. This statement is correct. GDP indicates if a country's economic output is increasing or decreasing over time.
• GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities. This is the incorrect statement. GDP itself does not directly reflect trends in inflation or commodity prices. While GDP can be adjusted for inflation using a measure called "real GDP," it is not its primary function to track inflation trends directly.
• GDP helps to understand shifts in the annual changes in the country's economy. This statement is true as GDP provides insights into economic performance over time.

From the above analysis, the incorrect statement is: GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities.

Answer 2

The incorrect statement in the context of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is (3) GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities.

Additional Context:

• About GDP:
  • Measures total monetary value of final goods/services produced
  • Calculated at current prices (nominal GDP) or constant prices (real GDP)
• Why (3) is incorrect:
  • GDP measures production value, not price levels
  • Inflation is measured separately by indices (CPI, WPI)
  • Commodity price trends require specific market analysis
• Correct statements analysis:
  • (1): GDP growth may deplete natural resources unsustainably
  • (2): GDP growth rate indicates economic expansion/contraction
  • (4): Year-on-year GDP comparisons show economic shifts
• GDP Limitations:
  • Excludes non-market activities (household work, volunteerism)
  • Doesn't account for income inequality
  • Omits environmental costs of production
• Complementary Indicators:
  • GNP (Gross National Product): Includes net foreign income
  • NDP (Net Domestic Product): Deducts depreciation
  • HDI (Human Development Index): Adds health/education metrics

Correct Answer: (3) GDP reflects annual trends of inflation and prices of commodities.