GDP (Gross domestic product) alias PIB (Produit intérieur brut) (document en anglais)

Understanding GDP:

• Gross domestic product is a measure of a country's economic activity, including all the services and goods produced in a year

• It is based on a huge survey of businesses and government departments compiled by the Office for National Statistics

• An economy is generally considered to be in recession if it has contracted for two consecutive quarters

• The first figures for any quarter are known as the "flash estimate" as they are based on incomplete data. The figures are revised at least twice as more information is collected

The United Kingdom has the 6th-largest national economy in the world (and 3rd-largest in Europe) measured by nominal GDP and 8th-largest in the world (and 2nd-largest in Europe) measured by purchasing power parity (PPP). The UK economy comprises (in descending order of size) the economies of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In 2013 the UK was the 4th-largest exporter in the world and the 4th-largest importer, and had the 2nd-largest stock of inward foreign direct investment and the 2nd-largest stock of outward foreign direct investment.[20][21] The UK is one of the world's most globalised economies.[22]

The service sector dominates the UK economy, contributing around 78% of GDP; the financial services industry is particularly important and London is the world's largest financial centre.[23][24][25] The British aerospace industry is the second- or third-largest national aerospace industry depending on the method of measurement.[26][27] The pharmaceutical industry plays an important role in the economy and the UK has the third-highest share of global pharmaceutical R&D.[28][29] The automotive industry is also a major employer and exporter. The British economy is boosted by North Sea oil and gas production; its reserves were valued at an estimated £250 billion in 2007.[30] There are significant regional variations in prosperity, with the South East of England and southern Scotland the richest areas per capita. London has the largest city GDP in Europe.[31]

In the 18th century the UK was the first country to industrialise[32][33][34] and during the 19th century had a dominant role in the global economy.[35] From the late 19th century the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States and Germany presented an increasing economic challenge, and the costs of fighting World War I and World War II further weakened the UK's relative position. However it still maintains a significant role in the world economy, particularly in financial services[36][37][38] and the knowledge economy.[39][40][41] The UK economy has recovered from the Great recession and is now in expansion territory after the economy returned to pre crisis levels in Q3 2013. The UK experienced a deeper downturn than all of the G7 except Japan. In 2013, the UK experienced its fastest growth since 2007 and is currently the fastest growing major developed economy.[42] 15.[43] As of Q3 2014, the UK economy is 3.4% above its pre-crisis peak in Q1 2008.[2] Growth was also higher in both 2011 and 2012 at 1.6% and 0.7% respectively due to changes in methodology for measuring the growth of the UK economy.[44] Current economic growth for 2014 is forecast to be 3.2%. The UK is currently creating more jobs than

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