Investopedia

Inferior Good

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Inferior Good'

A type of good for which demand declines as the level of income or real GDP in the economy increases. This occurs when a good has more costly substitutes that see an increase in demand as the society's economy improves. An inferior good is the opposite of a normal good, which experiences an increase in demand along with increases in the income level.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Inferior Good'

Inferior goods can be viewed as anything a consumer would demand less of if they had a higher level of real income. An example of an inferior good is public transportation. When consumers have less wealth, they may forgo using their own forms of private transportation in order to cut down costs (car insurance, gas and other car upkeep costs) and instead opt to use a less expensive form of transportation (bus pass).

Articles Of Interest

  1. The Importance Of Inflation And GDP

    Learn the underlying theories behind these concepts and what they can mean for your portfolio.
  2. Beeronomics: Factors Affecting Your Pint

    Beer is a complex beverage shaped by supply and demand, production and distribution, with regulation thrown in for that extra kick.
  3. Economics Basics

    Learn economics principles such as the relationship of supply and demand, elasticity, utility, and more!
  4. Leading Economic Indicators Predict Market Trends

    Leading indicators help investors to predict and react to where the market is headed.
  5. Great Company Or Growing Industry?

    Look at the big picture when choosing a company - what you see may really be a stage in its industry's growth.
  6. Prisoner's Dilemma

    Learn more about this classic game theory scenario.
  7. Is Growth Always A Good Thing?

    Getting big quickly looks good, but companies can get into trouble when they do it too fast. Find out how to spot this trouble.
  8. What Is "Chained CPI?"

    Chained CPI is one of many ways to approximate the impact of rising or falling prices to consumers' pocketbooks.
  9. Natural Disasters: Issues Relating To Leaves Of Absence

    Small businesses are more likely to fail in the aftermath of devastation. How can you as an employee handle issues after a disaster?
  10. What Is Elasticity?

    Elasticity measures the relationship between a good and its price based on consumer demand, consumer income, and its available supply. Learn the basics about it here.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.
  2. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.
  3. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.
  4. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
  5. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.
  6. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.
Trading Center