Gross domestic product (GDP) is an important barometer of economic health, providing estimates of the value of all goods and services produced within an economy. GDP and its related concepts, such as economic growth and productivity, dominate policy discussions and are often used as a proxy of economic achievement. The theme chapter of the APEC Regional Trends Analysis discusses the limitations and nuances of GDP: it provides vital indicators of economic output and risk, but is unable to inform on other important aspects of the economy such as wellbeing or sustainability. Economic policy discussions need to go beyond GDP and complement it with other measures that can inform on the distribution of economic benefits, the environmental costs of production, and the increasing importance of data in the digital economy.

The next chapter on economic and trade trends shows that the APEC region grew at a slower pace in January-June 2019 at 3.6 percent compared to a GDP growth of 4.3 percent in January-June 2018, as uncertainty on the external front dampened investments and consumer spending. In the short-term period covering 2019-2021, APEC is expected to continue to grow but at a moderated pace, in tandem with the global economy. Risks of a further escalation in trade and technology tensions remain, which could further weaken the global economy. Amid elevated uncertainty, which has adversely affected traditional growth drivers such as consumption and trade, APEC needs to diversify sources of economic growth by boosting the services sector, taking advantage of digital opportunities, ensuring financial inclusion, and increasing women’s economic participation towards sustainable and inclusive growth.

Related Infographics

• It’s time to think beyond GDP 
• Uncertainty has led to slower growth