Income Elasticity of Demand


Income Elasticity of Demand

A measure of whether a good is considered a necessity or a luxury. It is measured as a ratio of the change in demand for a good to the change in consumer income. Demand for a necessity tends to change slowly with changes in income; that is, as consumers become wealthier, they do not necessarily buy more of a necessity because they already have all they need. On the other hand, demand for luxury increases quickly with increases in income, as consumers buy more of a luxury when they become wealthier.