Define the term public good and give me two examples of public goods.

A public good is a good or service which is both non-rival and non-excludable. Non rival means that one person consuming the good does not stop somebody else from consuming it. For example, cake is rival, as if I eat a particular cake, nobody else can eat that same cake. Non-excludability refers to an inability to bar people from consuming the good; nobody can stop me from consuming street lamps when I walk down the street. Two examples of public goods are defence and street lighting.

TC
Answered by Tim C. Economics tutor

4425 Views

See similar Economics A Level tutors

Related Economics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the perfect technique for reaching the top marks in the longer essay questions?


What are the determinants of Demand? What is the effect of a change in the determinants of demand?


Explain why an increase in labour productivity is likely to reduce the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments.


What are merit goods and why do they represent an example of market failure?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning