Why are monopolies inefficient?

A monopoly is occurs when there is a single firm is the only supplier of a good or service in a given economy. Thus, it is able to choose the price that it wants (price maker) and a given quantity that will maximise the firm's profits. This is opposed to a perfect competition where a given firm is a price taker and optimal output is determined by equating MC and MR. In a monopoly, however, price is higher and quantity is lower than perfect competition.
Thus, monopolies are inefficient because they do not respond adequately to the demands of the market and will create a deadweight loss for consumers and the economy as a whole.

HK
Answered by Harout K. Economics tutor

1833 Views

See similar Economics GCSE tutors

Related Economics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain the law of demand with the help of a diagram.


what are the differences between perfect competition and monopolistic competition


Define what market failure is and identify an example of market failure, explaining fully why it is a relevant example.


Explain why the demand for food is relatively price inelastic


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences