APC and MPC are closely related to each other in the following way:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n(i) APC refers to the ratio of consumption to income at a particular point of time. MPC represents the ratio of change in consumption to change in income. MPC is the rate of change in APC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(ii) In the case of a linear consumption function (straight line consumption curve) with positive consumption expenditure at zero income level,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(a) APC is falling, while MPC is constant, and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) APC is always higher than MPC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is clear from Figure below. The slope of consumption curve CC (which represents MPC) is constant at all levels of income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAPC, which is represented by the slope of the line from origin O to any point on CC curve, declines as income increases. As income increases from OY1<\/sub> to OY2<\/sub>, APC falls from C1<\/sub> Y1<\/sub>\/OY1<\/sub> to C2<\/sub>Y2<\/sub>\/OY2<\/sub> (or the slope of C2<\/sub>O is less than the slope of C1<\/sub>O). APC is always higher than MPC; it is also evident because the slopes of C1<\/sub>O and C2<\/sub>O are greater than the slope of CC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n(iii) When a linear consumption function passes through the origin, APC is equal to MPC and both are constant. In Figure-3B, the slope of consumption curve OC (indicating MPC) and the slope of the line from origin O to any point on consumption curve (indicating APC) are the same (i.e., C1<\/sub>Y1 <\/sub>\/ OY1<\/sub> = C1<\/sub> Y1<\/sub>\/OY1<\/sub>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n(iv) In case of curvilinear consumption function, (a) as income increases, the APC as well as MPC both decline, but the decline in MPC is more than the decline in APC; and (b) as income falls, both APC and MPC rise, but APC rises at a slower rate than MPC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(v) Keynes was more concerned with MPC because his analysis was related to the short period, while APC is useful in the long period. In the short period, there is no change in MPC and MPC << APC. In the long period, according to the post-Keynesians, APC and MPC are equal and are about .9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>FACTORS AFFECTING CONSUMPTION FUNCTION<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAccording to Keynes, two types of factors influence the consumption function: subjective and objective. The subjective factors are endogenous or internal to the economic system itself. The subjective factors relate to psychological characteristics of human nature, social structure, social institutions and social practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are likely to remain more or less stable during the short period. Established behaviour pattern undergoes material change only over long periods. These factors fundamentally determine the form of the consumption function (i.e., slope and position of the propensity to consume, the \u0421 curve).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The objective factors affecting the consumption function are exogenous, or external to the economy itself. These factors may at times undergo rapid changes. Thus, objective factors may cause a shift in the consumption function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>SUBJECTIVE FACTORS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe subjective factors affecting consumption function include psychological characteristics of human desires or wants. Consumption and saving behavior of individuals with regards to increased income is dependent on their psychological motives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social practices and modern social order relating to the behavior of business firms concerning wage and payment of dividend and retained earnings are also responsible determining the consumption function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keynes has highlighted some motives on such human nature:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>a. Precaution Motives<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIndividuals would want to prepare themselves to any unseen emergencies like sickness, unemployment, accidents, etc. So they keep reserves for such situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>b. The Motive of Foresight<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nForesight motives include human needs related to future such as old age support, educational needs for children, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>c. Standard of Living<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIndividuals would want to improve their standard of living. For this, they would increase their level of savings for future undertakings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>d. The Motive of Independence<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe motive to be independent is a drive towards consumption function as it leads to more saving and less consumption at present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>e. The Motive of Enterprise<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIndividuals may have a desire to start their own business enterprise. So, they cut down their present consumption expenses and make more savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>OBJECTIVE FACTORS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Income Distribution:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nKeynes believed that the MPC of low income groups would be higher than that of high income groups. So, aggregate demand could be stepped up by a policy of income redistribution \u2014 i.e., transferring income from the rich to the poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Changes in the distribution of income may alter consumption demand if high-income households consume a smaller proportion of disposable income than do low-income households. If national income were redistrib\u00aduted toward low-income households having a larger propensity to consume, the aggregate consumption schedule would rise, while a less equal redistribu\u00adtion of income would have the opposite effect for similar reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The impact of income redistribution on consumption expenditures is not unam\u00adbiguous, however. If higher-income groups spend a large portion of their income to \u201ckeep up with the Joneses,\u201d income redistribution in favour of low- income households will have an uncertain impact on the consumption schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The Rate of Interest:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt has long been supposed that an increase in the rate of interest would lead to an increase in savings and, therefore, a reduction in consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other things remaining the same, the lower the real interest rate, the greater is the amount of consumption expenditure and the smaller is the amount of saving. The real interest rate is the opportunity cost of consump\u00adtion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This opportunity cost arises regardless of whether a person is a borrower or a lender. For a borrower, increasing consumption this year means paying more interest next year. For a lender, increasing consumption this year means receiving less interest next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The effect of the real interest rate on consumption expenditure is an example of the principle of substitution. If the opportunity cost of an action increases, people substitute other actions in its place. In this case, if the opportunity cost of current consumption and substitute future consump\u00adtion in its place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Liquid Assets and Wealth:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nBoth the supply of liquid assets (money, securities, or bonds) and the wealth represented by existing quantities of durable goods may influence consumer expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider liquid assets first. Many observers contend that a greater stock of liquid assets enhances feelings of economic security and may thereby prompt greater consumption expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Expected future income:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe higher a household\u2019s expected future income, other things remaining the same the greater is its consumption expenditure. That is, if two households have the same disposable income on consumption goods and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Sales effort:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nAn increase or decrease in the amount of sales effort may affect the total volume of consumer expenditures, given the level of income. Advertising has the effect of shifting demand from one product to another. But, as Ackley has put it, whether as a result of advertising, aggregate consumption, expenditure will fall or not is debatable. It is the matter of empirical (statistical) test and verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Capital Gains:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nKeynes also recognised that consumption spending might be influenced not only by income but by capital gains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Consumer Credit:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe terms of consumer credit have often been important in influencing consumption behaviour in respect of durable goods like automobiles, TV sets, radios, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The extent to which consumers can borrow to finance purchases may affect their levels of consumption. The demand for durable goods like appliances and automobiles is particularly sensitive to the availability of credit, because such goods involve sizable expenditures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A high level of debt may dampen consumer demand, because repayment in the future will be necessary, making less funds available for current consumption. In addition, interest rate levels, the maximum time period for repayment, down-payment requirements, and the ease of access to financial institu\u00adtions may cause consumer spending for durable goods to increase or decrease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Fiscal Policy:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nTax and transfer payments also affect consumption. An increase in indirect taxes raise commodity prices and may lead to a fall in the demand for the taxed commodity. Likewise an increase in income tax may reduce the disposable income of individuals and may lower total consumption expenditure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Other Factors:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThese include certain motives to consumption such as enjoyment, short-sightedness, generosity, miscalculation, ostentation and extravagance. Keynes calls these subjective factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APC AND MPC<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBASIS OF DIFFERENCE<\/strong><\/td>APC<\/strong><\/td>MPC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>MEANING<\/strong><\/td>Average propensity to Consume refers to the ratio of Consumption Expenditure to the corresponding level of income.<\/td> | Marginal propensity to consume refers to the ratio of change in Consumption Expenditure (\u25b3C) to change in total income (\u25b3Y).<\/td><\/tr> | FORMULA<\/strong><\/td>APC = Consumption (C)\/Income (Y)<\/td> | MPC = Change in Consumption (\u25b3C)\/Change in Income (\u25b3Y)<\/td><\/tr> | VALUE<\/strong><\/td>It can be greater than 1, equal to 1 or less than 1.<\/td> | Its value lies between 0 and 1.<\/td><\/tr> | CAN BE ZERO<\/strong><\/td>It can never be zero.<\/td> | Its value can be zero.<\/td><\/tr> | EXAMPLE<\/strong><\/td>Supposing at a given level of income of 300 crore consumption is 250 crore then APC will be 250\/300 which is equal to 0.83.<\/td> | Suppose income increases by 100 crore and consumption increases by 50 crore then MPC = 50\/100 which is equal to 0.5.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>MEASURES TO RAISE PROPENSITY TO CONSUME<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMarginal Propensity to Consume (MPC) is the extra amount that people consume when they receive an extra amount of disposable income (Income after paying tax) .The short run production function is stable as it is very difficult to change in the short period of psychological and institutional factors affecting the propensity to consume of the people. However in long ,raising propensity to consume is possible by the following measures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1)Income Redistribution:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n | | | | | | | | |