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Aggregate demand

Aggregate demand is total planned spending on domestically produced final goods and services at different general price levels during a period. A common expenditure expression is consumption plus investment plus government spending plus exports minus imports: C + I + G + X − M. It describes economy-wide demand rather than demand for a single product. Changes in income expectations, taxation, interest rates, public spending or foreign demand can shift aggregate demand, with effects depending on available productive capacity.

Worked example

Consumption is 600, investment 150, government spending 200, exports 120 and imports 100. Planned aggregate expenditure is 970. If government spending rises by 20 with the other components initially unchanged, the initial expenditure total becomes 990; subsequent effects need further assumptions.

Common mistake

Do not count imports as additional domestic production or confuse a shift in aggregate demand with movement caused by a change in the general price level.

Where it appears in your exams

QualificationExamRelationshipPeriod
ACCA BT Direct September 2026–June 2027
FIA FBT Direct September 2026–June 2027