Deficits & Surpluses | Economics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Reasons for Deficits & Surpluses

• If a country has a current account deficit, it means that the value of its imports exceeds the value of its exports.
• On the other hand, if a country has a current account surplus, it indicates that the value of its exports is greater than the value of its imports.

Causes Of Current Account Deficits

Causes Of Current Account Surpluses

Consequences of Deficits & Surpluses

• As global trade is a net sum game where the value of global exports equals global imports, if one country runs a current account surplus, another runs a deficit.

Consequences of current account deficits include

• Heightened unemployment emerges as local demand for goods/services diminishes, necessitating fewer workers and leading to increased joblessness.
• Economic growth slowdowns or recessions ensue, as exports constitute a significant portion of many countries' real GDP, and a decline in exports can substantially impede economic expansion.
• Deteriorating living standards often follow a downturn in economic growth, characterized by wage reductions and subsequent declines in living standards.
• Elevated borrowing levels may result from persistent import-driven deficits, indicating that imports are likely financed through increased borrowing.
• A depreciating exchange rate, while potentially aiding export recovery, simultaneously inflates the costs of imported goods/raw materials, potentially fueling cost-push inflation.

Consequences of current account surpluses include

• Enhanced employment opportunities emerge as local demand for goods/services rises, necessitating more workers and contributing to reduced unemployment rates.
• Economic growth accelerates, given that exports constitute a pivotal component of the real GDP of numerous countries, and an uptick in exports can markedly bolster economic expansion.
• Elevated standards of living typically follow an upswing in economic growth, characterized by wage increases that subsequently improve living standards.
• Demand-pull inflation may ensue, triggered by economic growth resulting from increased exports, which stirs up demand and contributes to inflationary pressures.
• An appreciating exchange rate manifests as exports rise, driving the currency's value higher and rendering imports cheaper, thus spurring increased demand for imported goods.