1.1.1 One leakage in an economy is saving. The saving sector is involved in the leakage as individuals and businesses save a portion of their income rather than spending it on consumption or investment. Saving represents the portion of income that is not immediately injected back into the economy and can lead to a decrease in aggregate demand.
1.1.2 The 45° line in the graph represents the equilibrium level of output or income in an economy. It shows the points where aggregate spending (aggregate demand) is equal to aggregate production (aggregate supply). The line represents the condition where spending equals production, indicating a state of macroeconomic equilibrium.
1.1.3 Autonomous consumption refers to the level of consumption expenditure that occurs even when income is zero or negative. It represents the minimum level of consumption that individuals and households maintain regardless of their income. Autonomous consumption is usually influenced by factors such as basic needs, fixed expenses, or borrowing. It plays a crucial role in determining the level of aggregate demand in an economy.
1.1.4 A decrease in consumer spending has a negative impact on the size of the multiplier. The multiplier refers to the amplification effect that occurs when an initial change in spending or investment leads to a larger overall change in the economy. When consumer spending decreases, it leads to a decrease in aggregate demand, which in turn reduces the level of output and income. As a result, the multiplier effect is dampened, and the overall impact on the economy becomes smaller.
1.2 Calculating national income is important for a country for several reasons:
- It provides policymakers and economists with crucial information about the overall health and performance of the economy.
- National income data helps in formulating economic policies and making informed decisions related to fiscal and monetary policies.
- It allows for the comparison of economic performance across different countries and over time, providing insights into economic growth and development.
- National income calculations help in identifying income distribution patterns and inequalities within a country.
- It serves as a basis for calculating various economic indicators, such as GDP per capita, which are used to assess the standard of living and well-being of the population.
1.1.5 To calculate the multiplier when individual spending on consumption is 60%, we can use the formula:
Multiplier = 1 / (1 - Marginal Propensity to Consume)
Given that the individual spending on consumption is 60% or 0.6, the Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC) would be 0.6. Substituting this value into the formula:
Multiplier = 1 / (1 - 0.6)
Multiplier = 1 / 0.4
Multiplier = 2.5
Therefore, the multiplier in this case would be 2.5.