Posted on 07/15/2013 2:20:37 AM PDT by cunning_fish
Gross domestic product 2012, PPP (millions of Ranking Economy international dollars)
1 United States 15,684,800
2 China 12,470,982
3 India 4,793,414
4 Japan 4,490,681
5 Russian Federation 3,380,071
6 Germany 3,307,873
7 Brazil 2,365,779
8 France 2,354,874
9 United Kingdom 2,264,751
10 Mexico 2,015,281
What is “PPP based”?
>>>What is PPP based?<<<
aka “Big Mac Index”
The Big Mac PPP exchange rate between two countries is obtained by dividing the price of a Big Mac in one country (in its currency) by the price of a Big Mac in another country (in its currency). This value is then compared with the actual exchange rate; if it is lower, then the first currency is under-valued (according to PPP theory) compared with the second, and conversely, if it is higher, then the first currency is over-valued.
For example, using figures in July 2008:[3]
1.the price of a Big Mac was $3.57 in the United States (varies by store)
2.the price of a Big Mac was £2.29 in the United Kingdom (Britain) (varies by region)
3.the implied purchasing power parity was $1.56 to £1, that is $3.57/£2.29 = 1.56
4.this compares with an actual exchange rate of $2.00 to £1 at the time
5.(2.00-1.56)/1.56 = 28%
6.the pound was thus overvalued against the dollar by 28%
It means that PPP based GDP for UK = factual GDP minus 28% for this index.
Thanks for the description.
It does not seem like a very accurate method to me. But then, I’m not an economist.
I assume the actual index is calculated using a composite of goods and services, and not on the price of a single commodity. Because there can be considerable variation on the prices of individual items from region to region.
>>>I assume the actual index is calculated using a composite of goods and services, and not on the price of a single commodity. Because there can be considerable variation on the prices of individual items from region to region.<<<
I don’t think World Bank is using straight Big Mac Index, but the difference with more complex methods is recognized as marginal among many financists.
Making and selling a burger involves numerous industries and services and for that reason it counts as a very accurate method.
The fact the US GDP calculation includes government spending makes GDP statistics versus other countries totally meaningless. Government spending is NOT production.
>>>The fact the US GDP calculation includes government spending makes GDP statistics versus other countries totally meaningless. Government spending is NOT production.<<<
Well, it makes toxic input but still input into economy.
GDP - Gross Domestic Product - the value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders. Official government figures are mostly made up, particularly those of the underdeveloped countries.
PPP - Purchasing Power Parity. The 100% made up, politically correct version of GDP.
It means adjusting for local cost of goods and services. For a purely American example - someone living in New York earns 100k a year, and someone in Houston makes 75k a year. In theory, the New Yorker is richer, but due to the lower cost of living in Texas, the purchasing power of a dollar goes further.
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