House prices fall where there is a decline in demand and/or excess supply. The main factors that cause a fall in house prices involve: Rising interest rates (making mortgage payments more expensive) Economic recession / high unemployment (reducing demand and causing home repossessions). Fall in bank lending and fall in availability of mortgages (making it …
Globalisation refers to the increased integration of the world economy. The process of globalisation involves increased trade, greater mobility of labour and capital and the increased interdependence of national economies. There are many aspects of globalisation that are irreversible. Improvement in transport and communication. Air travel has made it easier for people to travel around …
Supply and demand are a fundamental basis of economics; they help explain the determination of price and output in different markets. The supply curve shows the amount of goods firms are willing to sell at different prices. At higher prices, it becomes more profitable to sell the goods, so supply tends to rise with the …
Who Does the UK Owe Money to? – The UK government borrows mainly from UK pension funds and building societies. Amount 30% of UK government debt is borrowed from foreign banks and investment funds.
Readers Question: What is the importance of economics? Economics is concerned with the optimal distribution of resources in society. The subject involves Understanding what happens in markets and the macroeconomy. Examining statistics about the state of the economy and explaining their significance Understanding different policy options and evaluating their likely outcomes. Examples of the importance …
When reading economic articles in the past few years, you may frequently come across the reference to the ‘zero lower bound’ or ZLB. What is the Zero Lower Bound rate? In short – when interest rates can’t fall any further below 0% Examples of ZLB UK interest rates were cut to 0.5% in March 2009 …
The misery index (sometimes known as the Economic Discomfort Index EDI ) is simply the sum of the inflation rate plus the unemployment rate. The higher the combined score, the worse the economic situation. The Misery index was developed by economist Arthur Okun. Where Unemployment rate (ut) and the current inflation rate (πt) High unemployment …
Smoking causes an increased risk of cancer to both those who smoke and also to third party’s who breathe in other people’s smoke. It is a classic example of a demerit good. To reduce smoking rates, the government can choose policies from Higher tax Raising legal minimum age Restrictions on smoking in public places Subsidies …