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Economics glossary · The macroeconomy

Leakage

What leakage means in economics, with an example and a question to test yourself.

Definition
Leakage
A leakage is any part of income that is saved, paid in taxes or spent on imports rather than on domestic output.
Not to be confused with: Circular flow of income
The circular flow of income is a model of the economy in which households sell labour and other resources to firms and spend the income on firms' output.
Test yourself

What is the difference between leakage and circular flow of income?

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