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What is Market equilibrium?

Market equilibrium: The point where supply equals demand.

Where Market equilibrium fits

Market equilibrium is part of Market Structures in Economics. Markets set prices through supply and demand. Structures run from perfect competition to monopoly, and externalities or public goods are where markets alone fall short.

Practical tip

Ask how many sellers exist and how easily new ones can enter.

Related terms

Supply and demand
The interaction that sets market prices.
Monopoly
One seller controls the whole market.
Oligopoly
A few large firms dominate a market.
Perfect competition
Many sellers offering identical products, so none can set the price.
Externality
A cost or benefit that lands on people outside the deal.
Public good
A good everyone can use and nobody can be excluded from.
Price floor
A legal minimum price.
Natural monopoly
A market best served by one firm because of high costs.

Formulas you will use with it

Consumer surplusProducer surplusTrade balance

Test yourself

Which term means: “The point where supply equals demand.”?

Externality · Supply and demand · Market equilibrium

Answer: Market equilibrium

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