GDP calculator (expenditure approach)
Add up the main spending of a country to get its GDP. Add the population, the previous year or a price index for GDP per person, growth and real GDP.
Result
1,650Nominal GDP
- Trade balance (X − M)
- -50
- Real GDP (base-year prices)
- 1,500
- Nominal GDP per person
- 33
- Nominal growth
- 10%
Inputs
- Household consumption (C)
- 1000
- Investment (I)
- 300
- Government spending (G)
- 400
- Exports (X)
- 200
- Imports (M)
- 250
- Population (optional)
- 50
- GDP of the previous period (optional)
- 1500
- Price index, base 100 (optional)
- 110
How it is calculated
GDP = C + I + G + (X − M).
Result
Nominal GDP
- Trade balance (X − M)
- -50
- Real GDP (base-year prices)
- 1,500
- Nominal GDP per person
- 33
How it is calculated
- GDP = C + I + G + (X − M).
- GDP per person = GDP ÷ population.
- Growth = (GDP − previous GDP) ÷ previous GDP × 100.
- Real GDP = nominal GDP ÷ price index × 100: it removes the effect of rising prices.
Example
C 1,000, I 300, G 400, X 200, M 250: GDP = 1,650. With 50 people, 33 per person; with an index of 110, real GDP ≈ 1,500.
Good to know
- Use the same unit everywhere (for example billions of dollars).
- Nominal GDP includes price rises; only real GDP truly compares two years.
- Official figures come from national accounts (BEA, Eurostat, etc.) and are often revised.
Sources
- System of National Accounts (2008 SNA, United Nations)
- IMF — GDP basics
Frequently asked questions
What is this tool used for?
Add up the main spending of a country to get its GDP. Add the population, the previous year or a price index for GDP per person, growth and real GDP.
How is the result calculated?
GDP = C + I + G + (X − M).
What should I check before using the result?
Use the same unit everywhere (for example billions of dollars).