The Expenditure Method of calculating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) focuses on the total value of final expenditures made by households, businesses, and the government on goods and services produced within an economy over a specific timeframe. This approach captures the holistic view of economic activity by aggregating consumption (C), investment (I), government spending (G), and net exports (X - M). The formula used can be represented as:
GDP = C + I + G + (X - M)
where:
- C is the total consumption expenditure made by households,
- I represents the investment expenditures made by firms,
- G indicates government spending on goods and services,
- X is total exports, and M is total imports.
Understanding this method is crucial in macroeconomics, as it not only provides a comprehensive measure of economic performance but also illustrates how spending drives production, influencing income distributions and overall national welfare.