What are economic indicators?

Economic indicators are statistics that provide critical information about various aspects of economic performance. They are quantitative measures that help assess the overall health of an economy, track economic progress, and guide policymakers and investors.

For example, indicators such as GDP (Gross Domestic Product), unemployment rates, inflation rates, and consumer confidence indices are used to gauge the economic conditions of a country. By analyzing these indicators, economists can determine whether an economy is growing, stable, or in decline, enabling them to make informed decisions based on the analyzed data.

While the other options touch on related ideas, they do not capture the full essence of what economic indicators are. Measures of consumer happiness focus solely on individual satisfaction rather than broader economic trends. Variables influenced by government policy could affect various areas of the economy but do not define economic indicators themselves. Averages of inflation rates are a specific application of an economic indicator and do not encompass the wide range of statistics that qualify as economic indicators.