Økonomiske indikatorer, or economic indicators, are statistical measures that reflect the overall health and performance of an economy. They provide insights into various aspects of economic activity and are used by policymakers, economists, and analysts to gauge economic trends, inform decisions, and forecast future performance. Economic indicators can be classified into three main categories:
1. **Leading Indicators**: These indicators predict future economic activity and can help anticipate changes in the economy. Examples include stock market performance, consumer confidence indices, and new housing permits.
2. **Lagging Indicators**: These indicators follow an event and confirm trends in economic performance. Common examples are unemployment rates and corporate profit levels, which provide insights into the economy after changes have occurred.
3. **Coincident Indicators**: These indicators occur simultaneously with economic changes and reflect the current state of the economy. Examples include gross domestic product (GDP) and retail sales figures.
Economic indicators are critical tools for understanding the complex dynamics of an economy, helping stakeholders make informed decisions based on empirical data.