Definitions

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Immigration The movement of people into a country from other countries with the intention of becoming permanent residents in the new country.
Imports Goods and services brought into a country from other countries.
Imputed rental income An estimate of how much rent a homeowner would have to pay for the house, condominium or other dwelling he or she lives in. It is a measure included in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Indices Measures showing how the value of things—such as prices, wages, incomes and employment—changes over time. They are expressed as a percentage relative to the base period, which is assigned the value 100. Example of indices: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average index.
Industry A group of establishments that produces a common set of goods or services. For example, the retail trade industry includes all the establishments that buy goods and resell them to the public.
Inputs Goods and services (labour, capital and materials) used in the production process. Example: the inputs in millworking include: labour capital (such as the millworking factory, a table saw or a power sander) raw materials (wood) materials produced by other companies (such as nails and glue) fuel and energy (electricity, oil or gas) purchased services (such as transportation from the factory to the building supply store or the services of the company’s accountant)
Interest rates The rate of interest charged on mortgages and loans, or paid on savings.
Investment An amount of money paid into something, such as a business start-up or a factory expansion, with the aim of making a profit.