Income Elasticity Of Demand

Definition:

The income elasticity of demand measures how the quantity demanded changes as consumer income changes. Economists compute the income elasticity of demand as the ratio of percentage change in the demand for a commodity to the percentage change in income of the consumer. Mathematically,

Table of Contents

Definition:
Nature of income elasticity on different types of goods:
Types of Income elasticity of demand
Some Important Question Answer to Remember:

[su_box title=”Importance of income elasticity of Demand” style=”bubbles” box_color=”#eef0f9″ title_color=”#ab29a0″ radius=”4″ id=”importance of income elasticity of demand”]Economists develop the concept of income elasticity to find out the behaviour of consumer when their income changes. In the initial phase of economics, economists can only find out the quantity demanded at a certain level of income. They can’t find out the degree of change in the quantity demanded with respect to the income of the consumers. For finding out the solution to this question, they developed the concept of income elasticity of demand. [/su_box]

Nature of income elasticity on different types of goods:

The income elasticity of demand may be positive, negative or zero depending upon the nature of a commodity.

Income elasticity for normal goods

In the case of normal goods, income elasticity is positive. Because quantity demanded and income move in the same direction i.e. demand for the commodity increase with the increase in income and vice-versa.

Income elasticity for inferior goods

In the case of inferior goods, income elasticity is negative. Because quantity demanded and income move in opposite direction i.e. demand for the commodity decrease with the increase in income and vice-versa.

Income elasticity for neutral Commodity

In the case of Neutral goods, income elasticity is equal to zero. Because quantity demanded of the commodity remains unchanged with the change in income of the consumer.

Types of Income elasticity of demand

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Positive income elasticity of demand
Negative income elasticity of demand
Zero income elasticity of demand

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Positive income elasticity of Demand (E_y>0)

If an increase in the income of the consumer leads to an increase in the quantity demanded for the commodity. It is known as positive income elasticity of demand. There is a positive relationship between the demand and income level of the consumers. Normal goods have only positive income elasticity.

Types of Positive income elasticity:

Economists classified positive income elasticity of demand into three categories.

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Income elasticity of demand greater than unity
Income elasticity of demand less than unity
Income elasticity of demand equal to unity

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Income elasticity greater than unity (E_y>1)

When the percentage change in the demand for the commodity is more than the percentage change in the income of the consumer and vice-versa. It is known as income elasticity greater than unity. These types of income elasticity found in luxury goods.

Example

If 10% increase in the income of the consumer leads to 20% increase in the demand for a commodity (Car).

Income elasticity of demand =percentage change in demand/percentage change in income

=20/10=2 (which is greater than 1)

[su_highlight color=”#d50e0e”]Interpretation: When income of the consumer increase by a $1, then demand for a car increase by 2 units.[/su_highlight]

Graphically representation

In the above figure, DD₁is an income elasticity curve greater than unity. When the income of the consumer increase by 10% (Y₁ to Y₂), the demand for commodity increase by 20% (Q₁to Q₂). This graph shows the percentage change in demand is more than the percentage change in income so it’s known as the graph of income elasticity greater than unity.

Income elasticity less than unity (E_Y<1)

When the percentage change in the demand for the commodity is less than the percentage change in the income of the consumer and vice-versa. It is known as income elasticity less than unity. These types of income elasticity found in basic goods.

Example

If 20% increase in the income of the consumer leads to 10% increase in the demand for a commodity.

Income elasticity of demand =percentage change in demand/percentage change in income

=10/20=0.5 (which is less than 1)

[su_highlight color=”#d50e0e”]Interpretation: When income of the consumer increase by a $1, then demand for a commodity increase by 0.5 units.[/su_highlight]

Graphically representation of income elasticity less than unity

In the above figure, DD₁is an income elasticity curve less than unity. When the income of the consumer increase by 20% (Y₁ to Y₂), the demand for commodity increase by 10% (Q₁to Q₂). This graph shows the percentage change in demand is less than the percentage change in income so it is known as the graph of income elasticity less than unity.

Income elasticity equal to unity (E=1)

When the percentage change in the demand for the commodity is equal to the percentage change in the income of the consumer and vice-versa. It is known as income elasticity equal to unity. These types of income elasticity found comfortable goods.

Example

If 10% increase in the income of the consumer leads to 10% increase in the demand for a commodity.

Income elasticity of demand =percentage change in demand/percentage change in income

=10/10=1 (equal than 1)

[su_highlight color=”#d50e0e”]Interpretation: When income of the consumer increase by a $1, then demand for a commodity increase by same number means by 1 units.[/su_highlight]

Graphically representation of income elasticity equal to unity

In the above figure, DD₁is an income elasticity curve equal to unity. When the income of the consumer increase by 10% (Y₁ to Y₂), the demand for commodity increase by the same percentage i.e. 10% (Q₁to Q₂). This graph shows the percentage change in demand is equal to the percentage change in income so it’s known as the graph of income elasticity equal to unity.

Negative Income elasticity of demand

If an increase in the income of the consumer leads to a decline in the quantity demanded of the commodity. It is known as negative income elasticity of demand. There is a inverse relationship between the demand and income level of the consumers. Inferior goods have negative income elasticity.

Example

If 10% increase in the income of the consumer leads to 5% decline in the demand for a commodity.

Income elasticity of demand =percentage change in demand/percentage change in income

=-5/10=(-0.5) (which is less than 1)

[su_highlight color=”#d50e0e”]Interpretation: When income of the consumer increase by a $1, then demand for a commodity decline by 0.5 units.[/su_highlight]

Graphically representation of negative income elasticity of demand

In the above figure, DD₁is a negative income elasticity curve. When the income of the consumer increase by 10% (Y₁ to Y₂), the demand for commodity increase by the same percentage i.e. 10% (Q₁to Q₂). This graph shows the percentage change in demand is equal to the percentage change in income so it reflects the graph of income elasticity equal to unity.

Zero Income elasticity of demand

If an increase in the income of the consumers has no effect on the quantity demanded of the commodity. It is known as zero income elasticity of demand. Neutral goods like salt, medicine, etc. have zero income elasticity.

Example

If 10% increase in the income of the consumer leads to 0% decaling in the demand for a commodity.

Income elasticity of demand =percentage change in demand/percentage change in income

=0/10=0

[su_highlight color=”#d50e0e”]Interpretation: When income of the consumer increase by a $1, then there is no effect on the quantity deanded for the commodity.[/su_highlight]

Graphically representation of zero income elasticity of demand

In the above figure, DQ₁is a zero income elasticity of demand. When the income of the consumer increase by 10% (Y₁ to Y₂ to Y₃), the demand for commodity remains constant i.e. Q₁. This graph shows when the income changes, the demand for the commodity remains constant so it reflects the graph of zero income elasticity of demand.

Some Important Question Answer to Remember:

Why income elasticity of inferior goods is always negative?

Inferior goods have negative income elasticity because its demand for commodity decrease with increase in income of consumers and vice-versa.

Which types of elasticity is found in luxury goods? Why?

Positive income elasticity (income elasticity greater than unity) are found in luxury goods. Because its demand increase rapidly due to small change in demand.

What does income elasticity of demand 2 means?

Income elasticity of demand 2 reflects that when income of the consumer increase by a $1, then demand for a commodity increase by 2 units. This types of elasticity known as income elasticity greater than unity.

What is income elasticity of demand?

Definition: