bruttotuotanto

Bruttotuotanto, or gross output, is a term used in Finnish national accounts to describe the total value of goods and services produced within an economy, a specific industry, or a given sector during a defined period. It covers the value of production before deducting any intermediate inputs and, in most accounting practices, includes changes in inventories. In practice, gross output equals the market value of all outputs produced for sale to final purchasers and to other producers.

Gross output differs from GDP. GDP measures value added, which is gross output minus intermediate consumption. Thus gross output indicates the overall scale of production, while GDP reflects the economy’s net contribution to wealth after accounting for inputs used in production. Because gross output includes inputs embedded in production, it can grow even if value added remains constant, for example due to higher production volumes or inventory changes.

Measurement and use. Data for gross output come from business surveys, administrative records, and national accounts sources. In statistical practice, gross output is reported both for the economy as a whole and for individual industries, enabling input–output analysis and assessments of sector interdependencies. Analysts use gross output to examine the size and structure of production, to compare the activity level of sectors, and to model economic relationships.

Limitations and interpretation. Gross output is not a direct measure of profitability or welfare; it does not indicate efficiency or profit margins, and it can be affected by price changes and inventory swings. Consequently, it is typically complemented with measures such as value added, intermediate consumption, and GDP when assessing economic performance.