Supply Demand Curve Shifts to Know for AP Microeconomics

Understanding supply and demand curve shifts is key in economics. These shifts show how changes in consumer behavior, production costs, and external factors impact market dynamics, influencing prices and quantities of goods and services available in the economy.

1. Increase in demand

   • Consumers are willing to buy more of a good or service at every price level.
   • Causes the demand curve to shift to the right.
   • Can result from factors like increased consumer income, changes in preferences, or population growth.

2. Decrease in demand

   • Consumers are willing to buy less of a good or service at every price level.
   • Causes the demand curve to shift to the left.
   • Can occur due to decreased consumer income, negative changes in preferences, or the availability of better substitutes.

3. Increase in supply

   • Producers are willing to sell more of a good or service at every price level.
   • Causes the supply curve to shift to the right.
   • Often results from lower production costs, technological advancements, or an increase in the number of producers.

4. Decrease in supply

   • Producers are willing to sell less of a good or service at every price level.
   • Causes the supply curve to shift to the left.
   • Can be triggered by higher production costs, natural disasters, or government regulations.

5. Change in price

   • A movement along the demand or supply curve rather than a shift of the curve itself.
   • Affects the quantity demanded or supplied but not the overall demand or supply.
   • Price changes can result from shifts in demand or supply.

6. Change in consumer income

   • An increase in income typically leads to an increase in demand for normal goods.
   • A decrease in income can lead to a decrease in demand for normal goods and an increase for inferior goods.
   • Influences consumer purchasing power and overall market demand.

7. Change in preferences

   • Shifts in consumer tastes can lead to increased or decreased demand for certain goods.
   • Can be influenced by trends, advertising, or cultural shifts.
   • Affects the demand curve by shifting it to the right (increase) or left (decrease).

8. Change in the price of related goods (substitutes and complements)

   • An increase in the price of a substitute good can increase demand for the original good.
   • An increase in the price of a complement good can decrease demand for the original good.
   • Influences consumer choices and market dynamics.

9. Change in population or market size

   • An increase in population typically leads to an increase in demand for goods and services.
   • A larger market size can attract more producers and increase supply.
   • Demographic changes can significantly impact overall market demand.

10. Change in production costs

    • An increase in production costs can lead to a decrease in supply.
    • A decrease in production costs can lead to an increase in supply.
    • Affects the willingness and ability of producers to supply goods.

11. Change in technology

    • Technological advancements can lead to more efficient production, increasing supply.
    • Can also create new products, shifting demand for existing goods.
    • Influences both supply and demand curves positively.

12. Change in expectations of future prices

    • If consumers expect prices to rise in the future, current demand may increase.
    • If producers expect prices to fall, they may decrease current supply.
    • Affects decision-making for both consumers and producers.

13. Change in the number of producers

    • An increase in the number of producers typically increases supply.
    • A decrease in the number of producers can lead to a decrease in supply.
    • Influences market competition and availability of goods.

14. Government policies (taxes, subsidies, regulations)

    • Taxes can decrease supply by increasing production costs.
    • Subsidies can increase supply by lowering costs for producers.
    • Regulations can either increase or decrease supply depending on their nature.

15. Seasonal factors

    • Certain goods experience seasonal demand fluctuations (e.g., holiday items).
    • Supply can also be affected by seasonal production cycles (e.g., agricultural products).
    • Influences both demand and supply curves at different times of the year.