þjóðhagsreikningar

Þjóðhagsreikningar, or national accounts, are a statistical system used to measure the economic activity of a country. They provide a comprehensive overview of production, income, consumption, and investment within a given period, typically a year or a quarter. The core of the national accounts system is the recording of economic transactions between different sectors of the economy, such as households, businesses, government, and the rest of the world.

The most well-known measure within national accounts is Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which represents the total value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders. Other key aggregates include Gross National Income (GNI), which measures the income earned by a country's residents, and Gross National Expenditure (GNE), which tracks total spending.

National accounts are crucial for economic policy-making. Governments and central banks use this data to monitor economic trends, assess the performance of different sectors, and inform decisions on fiscal and monetary policy. International organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank also rely on national accounts data to compare economic performance across countries and to provide development assistance.

The compilation of national accounts is a complex process undertaken by national statistical offices, such as Statistics Iceland. It involves collecting data from a wide range of sources, including surveys, administrative records, and tax data, and then organizing this information according to internationally agreed-upon standards, such as the System of National Accounts (SNA). The accuracy and consistency of these accounts are vital for understanding the economic health and progress of a nation.