

Investment: This is indicated by a tradeoff between the production of consumption goods (crab puffs) and capital goods (storage sheds).With economic growth more of both goods, crab puffs and storage sheds, can be produced. Economic Growth: This is indicated by an outward shift of the production possibilities curve, which is achieved by relaxing the assumptions of fixed resources and technology or by increasing the quantity or quality of resources.If some available resources are not engaged in production, then the economy is not achieving maximum production. Unemployment: This is indicated by producing inside the production possibilities curve.The curve indicates the maximum production of crab puffs and storage sheds obtained with existing technology, given that all available resources are engaged in production.
Production possibilities curve full#
Full Employment: This is indicated by producing on the production possibilities curve.This reduction in the production of crab puffs is the opportunity cost of storage shed production. As more storage sheds are produced, fewer crab puffs are produced. Opportunity Cost: This is indicated by the negative slope of the production possibilities curve (or frontier).Key Economic ConceptsAs a introductory model of the economy, the production possibilities curve is commonly used to illustrate basic economic concepts, including full employment, unemployment, opportunity cost, economic growth, and investment. The production possibilities schedule is commonly used as a starting point in the derivation of the production possibilities curve. The production possibilities curve, in contrast, presents an infinite number of production alternatives that reside on the boundary of the frontier. A schedule presents a limited, discrete number of production alternatives in the form of a table. The production possibilities curve should be compared with the production possibilities schedule, such as the one presented to the left. The vertical axis measures the production of crab puffs and the horizontal axis measures the production of storage sheds. Production is technically efficient, using all existing resources, given existing technology. This curve presents the alternative combinations of crab puffs and storage sheds that the economy can produce. Storage sheds are small buildings used to store garden implements, lawn mowers, and bicycles. Crab puffs are delicious cocktail appetizers which have the obvious use of being eaten by hungry people, usually at parties. The Set UpAccording to the assumptions of production possibilities analysis, the economy is using all resources with given technology to efficiently produce two goods-crab puffs and storage sheds. This particular production possibilities curve illustrates the alternative combinations of two goods-crab puffs and storage sheds-that can be produced by the economy. This analysis is often represented by a convex curve.Ī standard production possibilities curve for a hypothetical economy is presented here. Production possibilities is an analysis of the alternative combinations of two goods that an economy can produce with existing resources and technology in a given time period. The law of increasing opportunity cost is what gives the curve its distinctive convex shape. Producing on the curve means resources are fully employed, while producing inside the curve means resources are unemployed. As a frontier, it is the maximum production possible given existing (fixed) resources and technology.

A production possibilities curve (PPC) represents the boundary or frontier of the economy's production capabilities, hence it is also frequently termed a production possibilities frontier (PPF).

PRODUCTION POSSIBILITIES CURVE: A curve that illustrates the production possibilities of an economy-the alternative combinations of two goods that an economy can produce with given resources and technology. As its customers are central banks, the BIS cannot accept deposits from, or provide financial services to, private individuals or corporate entities. The head office is in Basel, Switzerland and there are two representative offices: in the Hong Kong, China and in Mexico City. Established in 1930, the BIS is the world's oldest international financial organization. AmosWEB means Economics with a Touch of Whimsy!īANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS: The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is an international organization which fosters cooperation among central banks and other agencies in pursuit of monetary and financial stability.
