Which field of economics focuses on the economy as a whole?

Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that examines the economy as a whole, focusing on aggregate measures such as national income, overall levels of employment, inflation, and economic growth. It aims to understand how these large-scale economic factors interact and affect national policies, including fiscal and monetary measures. By studying aggregate trends and cycles, macroeconomics provides insights into how economies function and how various components, such as consumption, investment, and government policies, contribute to overall economic performance.

In contrast, microeconomics zeroes in on individual markets and the decision-making processes of households and firms, analyzing their behavior and choices in specific contexts. Behavioral economics incorporates psychological insights into economic theory, particularly relating to decision-making and behavioral trends at the individual level, while international economics studies the economic interactions between countries, including trade, investment, and currency exchange. Each of these fields has its focus and methodology, but macroeconomics is uniquely concerned with the overarching dynamics of an entire economy.