Income Elasticity of Demand: Normal Goods vs. Inferior Goods
Branded Clothes (Normal Good)
Unbranded Clothes (Inferior Good)
Consumer Income (Y)
100
Baseline: 100
Left Graph Q_A
100
Same Dir. (YED > 0)
Right Graph Q_B
100
Opp. Dir. (YED < 0)
Current Effect
Baseline
Fixed Price P = 100
Income Y: 100
Consumer Income (Y)
100
Baseline: 100
Left Graph Q_A
100
Same Dir. (YED > 0)
Right Graph Q_B
100
Opp. Dir. (YED < 0)
Current Effect
Baseline
Fixed Price P = 100
Income Elasticity Breakdown
1. Left Graph (Normal Good) - Direct Relationship
As Income Y increases, Demand shifts RIGHT (Q_A = 100)
2. Right Graph (Inferior Good) - Inverse Relationship
As Income Y increases, Demand shifts LEFT (Q_B = 100)
3. Elasticity Coefficients Comparison
YED_Normal > 0 (Positive) | YED_Inferior < 0 (Negative)
4. Key Economic Principle
Normal goods see higher demand with higher purchasing power, whereas consumers switch away from inferior goods when income rises.
