Nominaalsel

Nominaalsel is a term often encountered in economic and financial contexts, referring to a value or quantity expressed in current prices, rather than adjusted for inflation. This means that nominaalsel figures reflect both changes in the quantity of goods and services produced or traded, as well as changes in their prices over time. In contrast, "reaalsel" figures are adjusted for inflation, providing a more accurate picture of actual volume changes.

When discussing economic growth, for instance, nominaalsel GDP will show the increase in the total value of goods and services produced at current market prices. If inflation is high, nominaalsel GDP can rise significantly even if the actual amount of goods and services produced has remained stagnant or even decreased. Therefore, economists often prefer to analyze reaalsel GDP to understand the true underlying growth of an economy.

Similarly, in wage discussions, a nominaalsel wage increase indicates a rise in the amount of money a worker receives. However, if the cost of living, driven by inflation, increases at a faster rate, the worker's purchasing power, or reaalsel wage, may actually decline. Understanding the distinction between nominaalsel and reaalsel values is crucial for making informed decisions and accurately interpreting economic data.