International price comparisons, purchasing power parities

The International Comparison Programme (ICP) compares the real gross domestic product that has been adjusted for purchasing power per cap-ita and the price level of the participating countries. Both indicators may only be calculated using purchasing power parities. The (absolute) pur-chasing power parities of the International Comparison Programme exist in the form of the relative price for an identical product in two countries. Since 1990, Switzerland has taken part in the comparison programme of Eurostat and the OECD, a regional department of the International Comparison Programme.