How is economic growth most commonly measured?

Economic growth is most commonly measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which represents the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specific time period, typically a year. GDP serves as a comprehensive indicator of an economy's activity and health, allowing for comparisons over time and between different economies. When GDP increases, it indicates that the economy is producing more goods and services, which is interpreted as economic growth.

While other factors might provide context about the economic landscape, GDP is the primary measure used to gauge economic performance. The rate of unemployment, for example, gives insight into labor market conditions but does not directly reflect the total economic output. Similarly, the number of businesses and income levels of citizens can highlight aspects of economic activity but do not encapsulate the overall performance as effectively or uniformly as GDP does. Therefore, using GDP as a measure of economic growth offers a standardized way to assess how well an economy is doing in generating wealth and improving living standards over time.