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Income effect
3 key takeaways
Copy link to section- The income effect describes how changes in consumers’ real income impact their demand for goods and services, holding prices constant.
- An increase in real income typically leads to higher demand for normal goods, while a decrease in real income can increase the demand for inferior goods.
- The income effect works in tandem with the substitution effect to explain changes in consumer behavior due to changes in income and prices.
What is the income effect?
Copy link to sectionThe income effect is a component of the broader concept of the effect of changes in income and prices on consumer demand. It specifically examines how changes in real income, which is the income adjusted for inflation, influence the quantity of goods and services demanded by consumers. When consumers experience an increase in real income, they generally feel wealthier and can afford to purchase more goods and services. Conversely, a decrease in real income reduces their purchasing power, leading to changes in their consumption patterns.
Understanding the income effect with an example
Copy link to sectionExample: Normal Goods and Inferior Goods
Consider two types of goods: normal goods and inferior goods.
Normal Goods: For normal goods, an increase in real income leads to an increase in demand. For example, as people’s incomes rise, they may buy more organic food, dine out more frequently, or purchase higher-quality clothing.
Inferior Goods: For inferior goods, an increase in real income leads to a decrease in demand. For example, as people’s incomes rise, they might buy fewer generic brand groceries or use public transportation less, opting instead for brand-name products or personal vehicles.
Illustrative Scenario:
Imagine a consumer with an income of $50,000 who spends a portion of their income on public transportation (an inferior good) and dining out (a normal good). If their income increases to $60,000, the income effect suggests the following:
- Public Transportation (Inferior Good): The consumer may reduce their use of public transportation because they can now afford to buy a car or use other more expensive modes of transportation.
- Dining Out (Normal Good): The consumer may increase their frequency of dining out because their higher income allows them to afford this more frequently.
Income effect vs. substitution effect
Copy link to sectionThe income effect often works alongside the substitution effect, which describes how consumers react to changes in the relative prices of goods by substituting cheaper alternatives for more expensive ones. While the income effect focuses on changes in real income and its impact on demand, the substitution effect focuses on relative price changes and how they influence consumer choices.
Combined Effects:
When the price of a good changes, the total effect on demand is a combination of the income effect and the substitution effect:
- Income Effect: A price change affects consumers’ real income and thus their purchasing power, leading to changes in demand.
- Substitution Effect: A price change makes a good relatively more or less expensive compared to other goods, leading consumers to substitute one good for another.
Importance of the income effect
Copy link to sectionUnderstanding the income effect is crucial for several reasons:
Consumer Behavior Analysis: It helps economists and businesses understand how changes in income levels affect consumer spending patterns and demand for different types of goods and services.
Policy Implications: Policymakers can use insights from the income effect to design economic policies that consider how changes in taxation, welfare programs, or minimum wage adjustments impact consumer spending and overall economic activity.
Market Strategy: Businesses can tailor their marketing and product strategies based on how their target consumers might respond to changes in income. For instance, luxury brands may target consumers who benefit from rising incomes, while discount retailers might focus on those whose real incomes are stagnant or declining.
Related topics
Copy link to section- Substitution effect
- Consumer theory
- Elasticity of demand
- Normal goods and inferior goods
Explore these related topics to gain a deeper understanding of the various factors influencing consumer behavior, the interplay between income and substitution effects, and how changes in income levels impact economic activity and market dynamics.
More definitions
Sources & references

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