#GDP

The GDP growth rate is the magical figure waved by nations and corporations as proof of prosperity. The higher it climbs, the more applause; the moment it dips, alarm bells ring across media outlets. Governments worship this single number while shoving inconvenient truths into shadowy footnotes. When growth stalls, a crisis is declared; when it soars, a new, ever-higher target is born in an endless celebratory loop. Meanwhile, real wages can dwindle, but this metric ascends with invincible momentum.