Multiplier
In economics, the multiplier effect refers to the idea that an initial spending rise can lead to even greater increase in national income. In other words, an initial change in aggregate demand can cause a further change in aggregate output for the economy
For example: a company spends $1 million to build a factory. The money does not disappear, but rather becomes wages to builders, revenue to suppliers etc. The builders will have higher disposable income as a result, so consumption, hence aggregate demand will rise as well. Say that all of these workers combined spend $2 million dollars in total, since there was an initial $1 million input which created a $2 million output, the multiplier is 2.
It must be noted that the extent of the multiplier effect is dependent upon the marginal propensity to consume and marginal propensity to import. Also that the multiplier can work in reverse as well, so an initial fall in spending can trigger further falls in aggregate output.
The basic formula for the economic multiplier, in macroeconomics, is ΔY/ΔI, or the change in equilibrium GDP divided by the change in investment (i.e. the initial increase in spending).
It is particularly associated with Keynesian economics; some other schools of economic thought reject, or downplay the importance of multiplier effects, particularly in the long run. The multiplier has been used as an argument for government spending or taxation relief to stimulate aggregate demand.
The concept of the economic multiplier on a macroeconomic scale can be extended to any economic region. For example, building a new factory may lead to new employment for locals, which may have knock-on economic effects for the city or region.
For example: a company spends $1 million to build a factory. The money does not disappear, but rather becomes wages to builders, revenue to suppliers etc. The builders will have higher disposable income as a result, so consumption, hence aggregate demand will rise as well. Say that all of these workers combined spend $2 million dollars in total, since there was an initial $1 million input which created a $2 million output, the multiplier is 2.
It must be noted that the extent of the multiplier effect is dependent upon the marginal propensity to consume and marginal propensity to import. Also that the multiplier can work in reverse as well, so an initial fall in spending can trigger further falls in aggregate output.
The basic formula for the economic multiplier, in macroeconomics, is ΔY/ΔI, or the change in equilibrium GDP divided by the change in investment (i.e. the initial increase in spending).
It is particularly associated with Keynesian economics; some other schools of economic thought reject, or downplay the importance of multiplier effects, particularly in the long run. The multiplier has been used as an argument for government spending or taxation relief to stimulate aggregate demand.
The concept of the economic multiplier on a macroeconomic scale can be extended to any economic region. For example, building a new factory may lead to new employment for locals, which may have knock-on economic effects for the city or region.