ICP Indicators and the System of National Accounts
The International Comparison Program (ICP) serves as the world's largest statistical initiative, providing a vital framework for comparing the real size of economies and the material well-being of populations across the globe. By integrating with the System of National Accounts (SNA), the ICP moves beyond volatile market exchange rates to measure the "real volume" of goods and services. This system utilizes a hierarchical structure—ranging from broad aggregates like Gross Domestic Product (GDP) down to 155 granular "Basic Headings"—to ensure that economic comparisons are based on actual purchasing power rather than price distortions. This opening list of indicators provides the essential blueprint used by international organizations to track global poverty, productivity, and sustainable development.
155 ICP Indicators: System of National Accounts (SNA)
| Category | Indicator Name |
| Main Aggregates | 1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) |
| 2. Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) | |
| 3. Individual Consumption Expenditure by Households | |
| 4. Individual Consumption Expenditure by Government | |
| 5. Collective Consumption Expenditure by Government | |
| 6. Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) | |
| 7. Balance of Exports and Imports | |
| Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages | 8. Bread and Cereals |
| 9. Meat | |
| 10. Fish and Seafood | |
| 11. Milk, Cheese, and Eggs | |
| 12. Oils and Fats | |
| 13. Fruit | |
| 14. Vegetables | |
| 15. Sugar, Jam, Honey, Chocolate, and Confectionery | |
| 16. Non-Alcoholic Beverages | |
| Sin Goods & Apparel | 17. Alcoholic Beverages |
| 18. Tobacco and Narcotics | |
| 19. Clothing and Footwear | |
| Housing & Utilities | 20. Actual Rentals for Housing |
| 21. Imputed Rentals for Housing | |
| 22. Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels | |
| Household & Health | 23. Furnishings and Household Equipment |
| 24. Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Appliances | |
| 25. Outpatient and Hospital Services | |
| Transport & Communication | 26. Purchase of Personal Transport Equipment |
| 27. Transport Services | |
| 28. Communication (Post and Telecom) | |
| Leisure & Education | 29. Audio-visual and Information Processing Equipment |
| 30. Recreational and Cultural Services | |
| 31. Education Services | |
| Services & Investment | 32. Restaurants and Hotels |
| 33. Machinery and Equipment | |
| 34. Construction | |
| 35. Other Investment Products (Software, R&D) |
| Category | Indicator Name |
| Household Maintenance | 36. Materials for Maintenance of the Dwelling |
| 37. Services for Maintenance of the Dwelling | |
| 38. Other Household Services (Domestic Help) | |
| Household Goods | 39. Major Household Appliances |
| 40. Small Electric Household Appliances | |
| 41. Glassware, Tableware, and Household Utensils | |
| 42. Tools and Equipment for House and Garden | |
| Healthcare Detail | 43. Therapeutic Appliances and Equipment |
| 44. General Medical Services | |
| 45. Dental Services | |
| 46. Para-medical Services | |
| 47. Hospital Services | |
| Transport Detail | 48. Motor Cars |
| 49. Motor Cycles | |
| 50. Bicycles | |
| 51. Spare Parts and Accessories | |
| 52. Fuels and Lubricants | |
| 53. Repair and Maintenance of Transport | |
| Recreation Detail | 54. Equipment for Reception/Recording of Sound/Picture |
| 55. Photographic/Cinematographic Equipment | |
| 56. Major Durables for Outdoor Recreation | |
| 57. Musical Instruments | |
| 58. Gardens, Plants, and Flowers | |
| 59. Pets and Related Products | |
| 60. Veterinary and Other Services for Pets | |
| Education & Services | 61. Books and Newspapers |
| 62. Stationery and Drawing Materials | |
| 63. Tertiary Education (Universities) | |
| 64. Accommodation Services (Hotels) | |
| 65. Personal Care (Hairdressing/Salons) | |
| 66. Electrical Appliances for Personal Care | |
| Government & Misc. | 67. Social Protection |
| 68. Insurance | |
| 69. Financial Intermediation Services (FISIM) | |
| 70. Administrative Fees and Charges |
| Category | Indicator Name |
| Personal Services | 71. Hairdressing Salons and Personal Grooming Establishments |
| 72. Electric Appliances for Personal Care (Shavers, Hairdryers) | |
| 73. Other Products for Personal Care (Toiletries, Cosmetics) | |
| Social Protection | 74. Social Protection Services (Childcare, Elderly Care) |
| Financial & Legal | 75. Financial Intermediation Services (FISIM) |
| 76. Other Financial Services (Bank Fees) | |
| 77. Insurance (Health, House, and Life) | |
| 78. Legal and Administrative Services | |
| 79. Other Services n.e.c. (Funeral Services, etc.) | |
| NPISH Expenditure | 80. Individual Consumption by Non-Profit Institutions (NPISH) |
| Government Services | 81. Government: Housing Services |
| 82. Government: Health Benefits and Reimbursements | |
| 83. Government: Production of Health Services | |
| 84. Government: Recreation and Culture Services | |
| 85. Government: Education Benefits and Reimbursements | |
| 86. Government: Production of Education Services | |
| 87. Government: Social Protection Services | |
| 88. Collective Government: Public Administration | |
| 89. Collective Government: Defense | |
| 90. Collective Government: Public Order and Safety (Police) | |
| 91. Collective Government: Environment Protection | |
| 92. Collective Government: Economic Affairs | |
| Investment (GFCF) | 93. Residential Buildings |
| 94. Non-Residential Buildings | |
| 95. Civil Engineering Works (Roads, Bridges, Dams) | |
| 96. Metal Products and Equipment | |
| 97. Transport Equipment (Ships, Aircraft, Trains) | |
| 98. Computer Hardware and Software | |
| 99. Research and Development (R&D) | |
| 100. Other Intellectual Property Products |
| Category | Indicator Name |
| Household Services | 101. Domestic Services (Housekeepers, Cooks, Gardeners) |
| 102. Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services | |
| 103. Repair of Footwear and Leather Goods | |
| 104. Repair and Hire of Household Textiles | |
| 105. Repair of Household Appliances | |
| Recreation & Media | 106. Recording Media (Streaming services, CDs, Vinyl) |
| 107. Repair of Audio-visual and IT Equipment | |
| 108. Games, Toys, and Hobbies | |
| 109. Equipment for Sport, Camping, and Open-air Recreation | |
| 110. Veterinary and Other Services for Pets | |
| 111. Cinemas, Theatres, and Concert Halls | |
| 112. Museums, Zoos, and National Parks | |
| 113. Photographic Services | |
| Education Sub-Sectors | 114. Pre-primary and Primary Education |
| 115. Secondary Education | |
| 116. Post-secondary Non-tertiary Education | |
| 117. Education not definable by level (Tutoring/Language) | |
| Detailed Investment | 118. Transport Equipment: Motor Vehicles |
| 119. Transport Equipment: Other (Ships, Aircraft) | |
| 120. Other Machinery and Equipment (Tools/Valves) | |
| 121. Electrical and Optical Equipment | |
| 122. Software and Databases | |
| 123. Mineral Exploration and Evaluation | |
| Inventory & Valuables | 124. Changes in Inventories (Stockpiles) |
| 125. Acquisitions less Disposals of Valuables (Gold/Art) | |
| Net Expenditures | 126. Net Purchases Abroad by Residents |
| 127. Net Purchases in Domestic Market by Non-Residents | |
| NPISH Components | 128. Housing (NPISH Expenditure) |
| 129. Health (NPISH Expenditure) | |
| 130. Education (NPISH Expenditure) |
| Category | Indicator Name |
| Misc. Goods & Services | 131. Jewellery, Clocks, and Watches |
| 132. Other Personal Effects (Travel Goods, Baby Gear) | |
| 133. Social Protection: Childcare Services | |
| 134. Social Protection: Services for the Elderly/Disabled | |
| 135. Other Services n.e.c. (Professional/Legal Fees) | |
| NPISH Disaggregation | 136. Recreation and Culture (NPISH Expenditure) |
| 137. Social Protection (NPISH Expenditure) | |
| 138. Other Services (NPISH Expenditure) | |
| Collective Government | 139. Public Administration (Collective Services) |
| 140. Defense (Collective Services) | |
| 141. Public Order and Safety (Police and Courts) | |
| 142. Economic Affairs (Regulatory and Technical Services) | |
| 143. Environmental Protection (Waste and Pollution Management) | |
| 144. Housing and Community Amenities | |
| Capital Investment (GFCF) | 145. One-dwelling Residential Buildings |
| 146. Multi-dwelling Residential Buildings | |
| 147. Non-residential Buildings (Offices, Factories) | |
| 148. Other Structures (Bridges, Roads, Railways) | |
| 149. Land Improvement and Plantation Development | |
| 150. Transport Equipment: Motor Vehicles, Trailers | |
| 151. Transport Equipment: Ships, Trains, and Aircraft | |
| 152. Information and Communication Equipment | |
| 153. Other Machinery and Equipment (Industrial Tools) | |
| Inventories & Trade | 154. Changes in Inventories and Valuables |
| 155. Net Exports (Exports minus Imports of Goods & Services) |
The Impact of ICP Data on Global Policy
The comprehensive catalog of 155 ICP indicators serves as more than just a statistical exercise; it is the definitive lens through which we view global economic equity. By meticulously mapping the System of National Accounts (SNA) to real-world purchasing power, the ICP allows policymakers to look past the surface of market exchange rates to see the actual lived experience of citizens. Whether it is determining the international poverty line, adjusting the Human Development Index (HDI), or comparing the infrastructure investment of emerging giants versus established economies, these indicators provide the evidence base for informed global governance. As the world economy becomes increasingly complex, the clarity provided by these spatial price indices ensures that no nation's growth or hardship is lost in translation.
