POTENTIAL REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT: The total real output (real gross domestic product) that the economy could produce if resources are fully employed. In other words, the economy is operating ON the production possibilities frontier. Full employment is generally indicated by achieving what is termed the natural unemployment rate, which is an unemployment rate in the neighborhood of about 5%. If the economy is at full employment then actual gross domestic product is equal to potential gross domestic product and the actual unemployment rate is equal to the natural unemployment rate. The macroeconomy is thus living up to its potential, at least in terms of producing wants-and-needs satisfying goods and services. See also | real gross domestic product | full employment | potential gross domestic product | unemployment rate | monetary policy | fiscal policy | full-employment budget | long-run aggregate supply | natural unemployment | stabilization policies |
