Difference between GDP at market price and GDP at factor price?

Answer 1

There is one important difference that arises when calculating the level of GDP from the spending side of the economy rather than summing the values added in production. This difference arises because the price paid by consumers for many goods and services is not the same as the sales revenue received by the producer. There are taxes that have to be paid, which place a wedge between what consumers pay and producers receive.

Taxes attached to the transactions are known as indirect taxes. Thus, if a consumer pays $100 for a meal in a restaurant the owner may receive only $85.10, the remaining $14.90 will go to the government in the form of VAT.

The term factor cost or basic price is used in the national accounts to refer to the prices of products as received by producers . Market prices are the prices as paid by consumers. Thus, factor cost or basic prices are equal to market prices minus taxes on products plus subsidies on products.

Vinita

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The concept of GDP at basic prices differs from the concept of GDP at factor costs in that the former includes net indirect taxes (indirect taxes less subsidies) attached to factors of production. For example, whereas property taxes, capital taxes and payroll taxes were not included in the valuation of GDP at factor costs, they are included in the valuation of GDP at basic prices. These production expenses are included in GDP at basic prices, subtracting from them any subsidies attached to factors of production, such as subsidies allocated for job creation and training.

SAM

SJMSOM, IIT Bombay (2008-2010)

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