A current account deficit means the value of imports of goods/services / investment incomes is greater than the value of exports. It is sometimes referred to as a trade deficit. Though a trade deficit (goods) is only part of the current account. If there is a current account deficit, it means there is a surplus …
Definition: The Life-cycle hypothesis was developed by Franco Modigliani in 1957. The theory states that individuals seek to smooth consumption over the course of a lifetime – borrowing in times of low-income and saving during periods of high income. The graph shows individuals save from the age of 20 to 65. As a student, it …
Definition – External economies of scale occur when a whole industry grows larger and firms benefit from lower long-run average costs. External economies of scale can also be referred to as positive external benefits of industrial expansion. Individual firm experiencing economies of scale from a larger industry Why do external economies of scale occur? Cluster …
The NAIRU and Natural rate of unemployment are similar concepts – they both reflect the level of structural unemployment when the economy is close to full employment. However, they have different compositions and can vary in the short term. NAIRU – Non-accelerating Inflation rate of Unemployment. This is the level of unemployment that is consistent …
In the nineteenth century, the UK was characterised by high levels of income inequality. However, from the start of the twentieth century until 1978, there was a steady fall in inequality and reduction in poverty (both relative and absolute). However, the 1980s saw a sharp rise in inequality which has not been reversed in the …
Investment influences the rate of economic growth because it is a component of aggregate demand (AD) and more importantly influences the productive capacity of the economy. (LRAS) An increase in investment should be a boost to economic growth. Readers Question: Discuss the importance of investment in increasing economic growth. Investment means expenditure on capital spending, …
Global economic imbalances refer to an unfair distribution of resources between different countries or it may refer to a one-sided trade situation. Global economic imbalances include Balance of Payments. Unbalanced trade between different economies, e.g. US trade deficit with China Unemployment levels, e.g. high unemployment in southern Europe versus low unemployment in US, UK. Poverty …
Utility maximisation refers to the concept that individuals and firms seek to get the highest satisfaction from their economic decisions. For example, when deciding how to spend a fixed some, individuals will purchase the combination of goods/services that give the most satisfaction. Utility maximisation can also refer to other decisions – for example, the optimal …