What does gross domestic product (GDP) measure?

• A. The total value of all goods produced in a year
• B. The total value of all services provided in a country
• C. The total value of all goods and services produced in a country
• D. The overall wealth of all citizens in a nation

Answer: (C)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures the total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specified period, typically a year. This includes everything from manufactured products to services rendered by sectors such as healthcare, education, and entertainment. By combining both goods and services, GDP provides a comprehensive snapshot of an economy's overall production activity, which is essential for assessing economic health and guiding fiscal and monetary policy.

The correct answer encompasses the full spectrum of economic activity, reflecting both tangible and intangible contributions to a nation’s economy. It allows economists and policymakers to analyze economic growth, make international comparisons, and evaluate the impact of economic policies. In contrast, the other options either limit the scope of GDP to just goods or services or measure unrelated concepts like wealth distribution among citizens, which are not part of what GDP is designed to track.