CAD as % of GDP

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Source: CMIE Economic Outlook, 1 Finance Research

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What does CAD as % of GDP represent?

CAD as % of GDP stands for the Current Account Deficit as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product.
Current Account Deficit (CAD) is the shortfall between the money received by selling products to other countries and the money spent to buy goods and services from other nations. Simply means the excess of imports over exports.
The current account includes transactions in goods, services, primary income, and secondary income, with a deficit indicating that a country is importing more than it is exporting.
Expressing this deficit as a percentage of GDP provides a clear picture of its magnitude in relation to the country's economic size, allowing for a standardised comparison over time or between different economies.

For developing countries like India, a manageable CAD as a percentage of GDP is often seen as a positive sign of economic health and an attractive environment for investment, whereas a large deficit may require corrective measures such as monetary tightening or structural reforms to boost exports.
Current account balances impact currency exchange rates, borrowing costs, and overall economic stability.
Looking at trends in this ratio over time helps assess whether a widening or narrowing deficit is a sign of improving or deteriorating economic conditions and how this influences future policy decisions or investor confidence.

A higher CAD as a percentage of GDP may signal that a country is heavily reliant on foreign capital to fund its excess of imports over exports, which could be unsustainable in the long run. It may also reflect weak domestic production or competitiveness on the global stage.
Conversely, a small or decreasing CAD as a percentage of GDP could indicate that a country is becoming more self-sufficient, increasing its exports, or experiencing a decrease in imports due to stronger domestic production or reduced domestic demand.
A moderate deficit could be sustainable and even beneficial if it reflects capital imports that are used for productive investment, leading to future economic growth. The key is whether the borrowed resources are being utilised in a way that enhances the country's productive capacity.
A persistently high CAD as a percentage of GDP, especially if financed by short-term capital inflows, poses the risk of external shocks and may necessitate policy interventions to reduce vulnerability.
A high or widening deficit may lead to depreciation of the national currency, increased interest rates, and potentially deter foreign investment.