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Data and Market Analysis

Income elasticity of demand

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Measuring how demand responds to a change in earnings, and what the sign tells you about whether a good is normal, luxury or inferior.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

State the formula for income elasticity of demand.

Numbers

Consumer income rises by 5% and demand rises from 800 to 880 units. Calculate income elasticity of demand.

Numbers

Consumer income rises by 4% and demand falls from 2,500 to 2,400 units. Calculate income elasticity of demand.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the formula for income elasticity of demand.

    Model answer

    Income elasticity of demand equals the percentage change in quantity demanded divided by the percentage change in real income. Each percentage is measured from the original figure.

  2. 2

    Consumer income rises by 5% and demand rises from 800 to 880 units. Calculate income elasticity of demand.

    Model answer

    Quantity rises by 10%, so elasticity is 10 divided by 5. The coefficient is +2.0.

  3. 3

    Consumer income rises by 4% and demand falls from 2,500 to 2,400 units. Calculate income elasticity of demand.

    Model answer

    Quantity falls by 4%, so elasticity is −4 divided by 4. The coefficient is −1.0.

  4. 4

    Consumer income rises by 8% and demand for a product rises by 2%. Calculate income elasticity of demand.

    Model answer

    Elasticity is 2 divided by 8, giving a coefficient of +0.25. Demand has risen, but by proportionately less than income.

  5. 5

    What does a positive income elasticity coefficient tell a business?

    Model answer

    Demand for the product moves in the same direction as consumer income. The product is a normal good, so sales grow as the economy grows.

  6. 6

    What does a negative income elasticity coefficient tell a business?

    Model answer

    Demand for the product moves in the opposite direction to consumer income. The product is an inferior good, so sales rise when incomes fall.

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