Why does BEA use a value-added approach to estimate state GDP?
Note
BEA's state GDP estimates use a value-added concept that avoids treating every intermediate business sale as additional final output.
Consider a manufacturer buying components and selling a finished product. Counting both the components' full sales and the finished product's full sales would overstate total production. Value added measures what each production stage contributes. The distinction is essential when comparing sectors with long supplier chains and complex intermediate purchases.
