1. Price of the Good
- The demand curve is downward-sloping, indicating that as the price of a good increases, the quantity demanded decreases. This is known as the "law of demand."
2. Income of Consumers
- As consumers' income increases, they tend to demand more of most goods and services. This is because they have more money to spend and can afford to buy more.
3. Price of Related Goods
- Substitutes: If the price of a substitute good increases, the demand for the original good will increase. For example, if the price of Coke increases, the demand for Pepsi will increase.
- Complements: If the price of a complementary good increases, the demand for the original good will decrease. For example, if the price of gasoline increases, the demand for cars will decrease.
4. Consumer Tastes and Preferences
- Shifts in consumer preferences can affect the demand for goods and services. For example, if consumers develop a preference for healthy foods, the demand for organic produce will increase.
5. Availability of Credit
- When credit is easily available, consumers may be more likely to spend money on goods and services, increasing demand. Conversely, when credit is tight, demand may decrease.
6. Expectations about Future Prices
- If consumers expect prices to rise in the future, they may be more likely to buy now, increasing demand. Conversely, if they expect prices to fall, they may delay purchases, decreasing demand.
7. Marketing and Advertising
- Effective marketing and advertising can create awareness and desire for products, increasing demand.
8. Government Policies
- Taxes, subsidies, and regulations can affect the demand for goods and services. For example, a tax on cigarettes could reduce demand for tobacco products.
9. Technological Change
- New technologies can create new products or improve existing products, affecting demand. For example, the advent of smartphones has increased the demand for mobile apps.
10. Seasonality
- Many goods and services experience seasonal variations in demand. For example, the demand for ice cream is typically higher in the summer than in the winter.