Macroeconomics is the branch of economics that studies the different attributes of the economy from a general perspective, a factor that separates it from microeconomics, which is more focused on the individuals and businesses. What students can expect as part of the study of macroeconomics include factors like consumption, the twin factors of demand and supply, and the use of monetary and fiscal policies as well as inflation. All of these factors make up part of the components in the study of macroeconomics.
The macroeconomic factor of consumption relates to the rate and manner in which the consumers in a stated economy consume the final products in the economy. That particular economy might be one of a country, or it may be calculated from an international point of view. Consumption in relation to the study of macroeconomics involves a calculation of the total rate of consumption at the end of a stated period, usually referred to as a business cycle. This information is important because it serves as an indication to economists regarding the state of the economy and can be applied toward the formulation of economic decisions that will affect the economy of the country as a whole.
Other areas included in the study of macroeconomics are supply and demand, with the aim of finding out their bearing on the economy. While studying the economic factor of supply, students will learn how the total rate of supply in an economy is related to the rate of demand by consumers. Where the demand by consumers is high, there will be a corresponding level of supply. This also affects the level of unemployment, because a high level of demand means that manufacturers and producers will need more people to manage the flow of demand. The opposite usually applies when the demand level drops, as the same manufactures and producers will shed the unnecessary workers in order to reduce any loss of revenue sustained through the payment of salaries for unneeded services.
Another area of the study of macroeconomics is the application of fiscal or monetary policies by government and banks as a means of controlling the outcome of the economy. For instance, a high level of inflation can be tackled by the application of monetary policies formulated for the reduction of inflation. The same applies to the application of both fiscal and monetary policies as the means for reviving a slow economy.