The income method of measuring national income is a way to calculate the total economic output of a country. It involves adding up the income earned by all factors of production, including labor, capital, and land.
To measure national income using the income approach, we start by calculating the total amount of wages and salaries earned by workers in the economy. This includes wages and salaries earned by both the public and private sectors, as well as self-employed individuals.
Next, we add up the profits earned by businesses in the economy. This includes both the profits of corporations and the self-employed. It's important to note that only profits earned from production within the country are included in this calculation.
In addition to wages and profits, we also need to include the rental income earned by landlords and the interest earned by lenders. This is known as property income.
Finally, we add up all of these income streams to arrive at the total national income. This number represents the total amount of income earned by all factors of production in the economy during a given period of time, typically a year.
There are several advantages to using the income method to measure national income. One of the main benefits is that it provides a more complete picture of the economy than other methods, such as the output or expenditure approach. The income method takes into account all forms of income earned, including wages, profits, rent, and interest, which other methods may not include.
Another advantage of the income method is that it is relatively straightforward to calculate. It is based on readily available data on wages, profits, rent, and interest, which can be collected through various sources such as tax records and financial statements.
However, there are also some limitations to the income method. One of the main drawbacks is that it does not take into account the value of goods and services produced by the informal sector, such as unpaid household work or illegal activities. As a result, the national income calculated using the income method may be understated.
In conclusion, the income method of measuring national income is a useful tool for understanding the overall economic output of a country. It takes into account all forms of income earned by factors of production, including wages, profits, rent, and interest. While it has some limitations, it provides a more complete picture of the economy than other methods and is relatively straightforward to calculate.