Legal Definitions - black economy

Definition: The black economy, also known as the shadow economy, refers to the unregistered economic activities that contribute to a country's gross national product. This includes legal and illegal production of goods and services, such as gambling, prostitution, drug-dealing, barter transactions, and unreported incomes.

Examples: Some examples of the black economy include:

• A drug dealer selling illegal drugs for cash
• A prostitute receiving payment for services without reporting it to the government
• A person selling goods or services for cash without paying taxes

These examples illustrate how the black economy operates outside of the legal system and often involves illegal activities or tax evasion. These activities are not included in official economic statistics, but they still contribute to the overall economy.