E.U. Nations Counting Sex And Drug Trades Toward G.D.P.

The point of counting everything, including the wages of sin, is to get a more accurate reading of each country's gross domestic product. Because G.D.P. is such an important number -- one that can sway national policies and make or break politicians -- the European Union wants numbers "better reflecting the economic environment," Vincent Bourgeais, a Eurostat spokesman, said.