Potential GDP and its factors assessment

The object of the study is the reserves of economic growth in the country on the example of Ukraine. One of the problems of such studies is the calculation of potential GDP, which is not observed, but is calculated on the basis of various methods. Also problematic is the choice of method/methods of calculating potential GDP and potential values of its factors. Any estimate of the potential value of a variable is based on one or more statistical relationships and therefore contains an element of uncertainty. In order to reduce uncertainty, 2 methods were used to determine the potential values of the components of GDP – the growth rate of employment, fixed capital and TFP (total factor productivity). The study used the methods of one-dimensional statistical filters Hodrick-Prescott and Baxter-King to estimate the potential values of GDP and the model of the production function to calculate potential GDP based on the potential values of its factors. The main reasons for the slowdown in Ukraine's GDP have been identified, the main of which is low capital productivity due to budget constraints. The second place in this ranking was taken by labor productivity, the last third – by TFP. Weak productivity and investment growth reinforced each other. Capital has the highest growth potential in Ukraine. Therefore, measures to stimulate capital investment, including in research and innovation and human capital, are important. Other factors that affect GDP through labor productivity and TFP are population aging, emigration, and tight lending conditions. To neutralize these factors, it is necessary to create new jobs, facilitate the conditions for obtaining loans by enterprises, stimulate advanced training and lifelong learning. The proposed approach to the separate calculation of potential values of GDP factors and their analysis find reserves for GDP growth. This provides the advantages of this method over other approaches.