Þjóðhagsreikninga

Þjóðhagsreikninga, or national accounts, are a system of statistical accounting used to measure the economic activity of a country over a specific period, typically a year or a quarter. They provide a comprehensive and systematic framework for recording and analyzing the flows of goods, services, and income within an economy. The primary goal of national accounts is to present a coherent picture of the economic performance, structure, and development of a nation.

The core of the national accounts system revolves around several key aggregate measures. The most well-known is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which represents the total market value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders during a given period. GDP can be calculated using three different approaches: the production approach, the expenditure approach, and the income approach, all of which should theoretically yield the same result. Other important aggregates include Gross National Income (GNI), which measures the income earned by residents of a country, and national disposable income, which reflects the income available for consumption and saving.

National accounts are compiled by national statistical offices, such as Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Íslands) for Iceland. The data collected and processed for national accounts are crucial for economic analysis, policy-making, and international comparisons. They help policymakers understand the current state of the economy, identify trends, and formulate appropriate fiscal, monetary, and structural policies. Businesses and researchers also utilize national accounts data to gain insights into market conditions and economic developments. The system is standardized internationally by the United Nations through the System of National Accounts (SNA) to ensure comparability across countries.