Potential GDP: Represents the maximum output an economy can produce without triggering inflation when all resources are fully employed. It is not directly observable and must be estimated.
A positive sign in an equation indicates a direct relationship between variables. When graphing potential GDP, it suggests that as one variable increases, so does the potential output.
This can be understood in economic terms: more capital and labor can lead to higher potential GDP, as long as these inputs are efficient.
When graphing, we must take into consideration that potential GDP will typically trend upward over time, reflecting economic growth due to factors like:
Technology advancement
Increased workforce participation
Capital accumulation (investments in machinery and infrastructure)
Estimation: Potential GDP estimation is crucial for policymakers to understand the economy's health and potential future growth.
Potential GDP is a theoretical concept useful for analyzing an economy's capability and planning economic policy.
Observational data may not always be available, thus reliance on estimations and models is essential for accurate analysis.