CONSUMPTION: The use of resources, goods, or services to satisfy wants and needs. At the microeconomic level, consumption is primarily analyzed in the context of utility, demand and their importance to market exchanges. At the macroeconomic level, consumption is most important as expenditures by the household sector on gross domestic product, one of four aggregate expenditures (the other three being investment, government purchases, and net exports).

     See also | satisfaction | household sector | resources | goods | services | wants | needs | utility | demand | market | personal consumption expenditures | aggregate expenditures | investment expenditures | government purchases | net exports | production | pollution | materials balance | circular flow |