Makroökonómia

Makroökonómia, or macroeconomics, is a branch of economics that studies the behavior and performance of an economy as a whole. It focuses on aggregate phenomena, such as national income, unemployment rates, inflation, and economic growth. Macroeconomic analysis examines the determinants of these aggregate variables and the policies governments and central banks can use to influence them.

Key concepts in macroeconomics include the business cycle, which describes the fluctuation of economic activity over time, characterized by periods of expansion and contraction. Inflation, the general increase in the price level of goods and services, and unemployment, the state of being jobless but actively seeking work, are central concerns. Macroeconomists also study economic growth, the sustained increase in the production of goods and services in an economy, often measured by the change in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Fiscal policy, implemented by governments through taxation and spending, and monetary policy, managed by central banks through interest rates and money supply, are the primary tools used to manage the macroeconomy. The goal is typically to achieve stable prices, full employment, and sustainable economic growth. Macroeconomic models are used to understand complex economic relationships and to forecast future economic conditions, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions.