Aggregate Demand (AD)
Aggregate Demand (AD)
Level: AS Levels, A Level, GCSE – Exam Boards: Edexcel, AQA, OCR, WJEC, IB, Eduqas – Economics Revision Notes
Aggregate Demand (AD)
Definition
Aggregate Demand (AD) is the total demand for goods and services within an economy.
Aggregate Demand – Formula:
AD = C + I + G + (X – M)
C = Consumption (Around 60% of AD is consumption)
I = Investment
G = Government Spending
X = Exports
M = Imports
What impacts the components of AD?
What impacts Consumption?
Interest rates
An increase or decrease in interest rates can help to manipulate consumption in the U.K. economy.
Lower Interest Rates
A decrease in interest rates will make the cost of borrowing cheaper for consumers. This will provide them with an incentive to borrow and spend rather than save. This is because saving money when interests are low means the return you will get is lower.
Lower interest rates will also make it more attractive for businesses to borrow and invest in the U.K economy creating a positive multiplier.
Higher Interest Rates
High-interest rates will cause a decrease in consumption. Higher rates will encourage consumers to save as they will gain higher returns on their deposits causing a decrease in consumption.
Higher rates will also encourage businesses to invest less due to higher interest repayment costs.
Taxes
A decrease or increase in taxes will impact consumer’s disposable income. An increase in income tax would reduce consumption as consumers would be left with less disposable income to spend after tax.
Consumer confidence
When consumers feel more confident about the state of the economy e.g. boom period in the business cycle. They are more likely to spend money as their pay will also be higher. (Vice versa)
State of the economy
If a country isn’t in a good economic position due to high levels of corruption or civil war. This could negatively impact consumer confidence and lead to lower consumption.
Income
The more income consumers earn. The more they will consume.
Wealth effects
The wealthier a consumer feels the more they tend to spend. Wealth is normally determined by the assets or income an individual earns or holds. An increase in the value of assets such as a house or shares makes people feel wealthier and causes a large increase in consumption. A positive wealth effect causes an increase in consumer confidence and spending.
The distinction between a movement and shift in AD
Movement
A movement along the AD curve is caused due to change in prices
A rise in price levels will result in an upward movement along the AD curve
A fall in price levels will result in a downward movement along the AD curve
Shifts
A change in any other variable will cause a rightward or leftward shift in the AD curve
Why is the AD Curve downward sloping?
Income Effect
There will be a contraction in Aggregate Demand if price levels rise as people have lower incomes and can afford less
Substitution Effect
Aggregate Demand is likely to contract if price levels in the UK rise as consumers will buy goods from a different country for a cheaper price – hence imports will increase and exports will decrease
Interest Rate Effect
There will be a contraction in Aggregate Demand if price levels rise as firms will have to pay their workers more, causing the demand for money to increase. Higher interest rates suggests consumers will save more and spend less, so borrowing will fall and firms will invest less, meaning AD will contract
AQA Spec – Additional Content
The Accelerator Process
This process suggests that a change in a country’s GDP is reflected through a change in the level of investment
Investment will be higher with greater economic growth, however may fall if the economic growth is growing but at a slower pace
In comparison to the Economic Growth, the level of Investment is more volatile
Quick Fire Quiz – Knowledge Check
1. Define ‘Aggregate Demand’ (2 marks)
2. Identify the components of Aggregate Demand (4 marks)
3. Identify six factors which affect the level of consumption (6 marks)
3. Explain how a change in interest rates would affect the level of consumption (6 marks)
4. State the formula for Aggregate Demand (2 marks)
5. Explain the distinction between a movement and shift in Aggregate Demand (4 marks)
6. Explain why the AD curve is downward sloping (6 marks)
Next Revision Topics:
- Demand
- Economic Growth
- Government Spending
- Exports / Imports
- Employment & Unemployment
- Consumption
- Investment
A Level Economics Past Papers
