What does national income measure within an economy?

National income measures the total value of goods and services produced within an economy over a specific period, typically a year. This encompasses the overall economic activity and provides insight into the economic health and performance of a country. By aggregating the value of all final goods and services produced, national income reflects the level of productivity and the aggregate output of the economy, making it a crucial indicator for assessing economic growth and standards of living.

For context, while the number of jobs created, total exports, and government spending can all influence national income or be related to economic performance, they do not themselves measure the direct output of goods and services. Thus, they serve different purposes in economic analysis and decision-making, but they are not the primary definition or measure of national income.