1. Merit and demerit goods
Market Failures
Merit and demerit goods

2. Definition
When the free market mechanism leads to a misallocation of resources in the economy, either completely failing to provide a good or service or providing the wrong quantity.

3. Market failure Negative externalities Positive externalities
Merit & demerit goods
Public goods
Monopoly
Immobility of the factors of production
Unequal distribution of income and wealth

4. Information failure 3
Imperfect information meaning merit goods are under-produced while demerit goods are over-produced or over consumed.

5. Public leisure centres
Merit Goods
Definition
A good that would be under-consumed in a free market, as individuals do not fully understand the benefits that derived from the consumption of that goods
Examples
The NHS
State Education
Public leisure centres
Vaccinations
Public Libraries
Screening for cancer
Eye tests
Dental care

6. Closing the information gap
Improved information on healthy living to counter the risk of growing obesity and associated health risks.
The result being an increase in the take up of activities that improve health and promote the positive externalities that go with its consumption.
Costs and benefits
S (MSC) E2 P2 P1 E1
D2 (MSB)
D1 (MPB)
QDS1
QDS2
Quantity

7. Demerit Goods Examples Alcohol Cigarettes Gambling Drugs
Definition Goods that are typically considered to be ‘bad’ for one. Such goods would be over-consumed in a free market, as it brings less overall benefit to consumers than they realise. In addition to this, consumption may well lead to external costs that are not taken account of.
Examples
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Gambling
Drugs
Chocolate ?
Fast foods ?
Fizzy drinks ?
High heeled shoes ?

8. Closing the information gap
Improved information on the disbenefits of consumption and greater awareness of the negative consequences to the individual and potential spills over effects to third parties.
The result being a reduction in the consumption of demerit goods to a more socially optimum level.
Costs and benefits
S (MSC) E1 P1
D1 (MPB) P2 E2
D2 (MSB) Q2 Q1
Quantity