The national income and product accounts that underlie gross domestic product(GDP), together with other key economic data—price and employment statistics—are widely used as indicators of how well the nation is doing. GDP, however, isfocused on the production of goods and services sold in markets and reveals relativelylittle about important production in the home and other areas outside of markets.A set of satellite accounts—in areas such as health, education, volunteer andhome production, and environmental improvement or pollution—would contributeto a better understanding of major issues related to economic growth and societalwell-being.

Beyond the Market: Designing Nonmarket Accounts for the United States hopes toencourage social scientists to make further efforts and contributions in the analysis ofnonmarket activities and in corresponding data collection and accounting systems.The book illustrates new data sources and new ideas that have improved theprospects for progress.