What components are summed in the expenditure approach to calculate GDP?

The expenditure approach to calculating GDP focuses on the total spending on the nation's final goods and services over a specific period of time. This approach includes four main components that capture broad sectors of the economy.

First, consumption refers to the total spending by households on durable goods, nondurable goods, and services. This category represents the largest component of GDP in many economies, as it encompasses everyday spending by consumers.

Next, investment includes business expenditures on capital goods that will be used for future production. This can range from spending on machinery to buildings and improvements. It also includes residential investment, which is the construction of new houses and apartments.

Government spending represents all government expenditures on goods and services that contribute to the overall economic output, excluding transfer payments like social security or unemployment benefits as these do not directly reflect current production.

Lastly, net exports account for the value of a country's exports minus the value of its imports. This component measures whether a country is a net exporter or importer, affecting its total economic output.

By summing these components—consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports—the expenditure approach provides a comprehensive picture of total economic activity as represented in the GDP figure.