​Potential output measures the real GNP that would be associated with operating the economy at some specified level of labor utilization. The concept offers answers to two basic types of questions: What would be the level of GNP if unemployment was at a specified level? (Or what would unemployment be if GNP were at some specified level?) And what will unemployment be at some point in the future if GNP grows at some specified rate? (Or what will GNP be if some specified unemployment target is achieved at some point in the future?)​