What area of economics focuses on the economy as a whole?

Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that deals with the structure, performance, behavior, and decision-making of an economy as a whole. It examines aggregate indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment rates, national income, and inflation. By analyzing these large-scale economic factors, macroeconomics aims to understand how the overall economy operates and to formulate policies that can influence economic growth, stability, and overall welfare.

In contrast, microeconomics focuses on individual consumers and businesses, examining how their choices and behaviors impact supply and demand in specific markets. Behavioral economics incorporates psychological factors into economic theory, often looking at how those factors influence the decisions of individuals and institutions. Market economics entails the study of markets in which buyers and sellers interact but does not encompass the broader economic issues that macroeconomics addresses.