This course will equip you to analyze how market interventions like price controls and taxes affect economic efficiency. You will learn to calculate consumer and producer surplus, identify the sources of deadweight loss, and evaluate the fairness and impact of different tax systems on wages and prices. Mastering these skills will enable you to assess the real-world consequences of government policies and understand the critical trade-off between efficiency and equity in resource allocation.

Economic Efficiency and Its Obstacles

Economic Efficiency and Its Obstacles
This course is part of Principles of Microeconomics Specialization

Instructor: Pearson
Included with Learn more
Ask Coursera
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
Recommended experience
5 hours to complete
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
What you'll learn
Evaluate the efficiency and fairness of market outcomes and different methods for allocating scarce resources.
Analyze the effects of government interventions, such as taxes and price controls, on market efficiency and equity.
Details to know

Shareable certificate
Add to your LinkedIn profile
Recently updated!
July 2026
Assessments
2 assignments
Taught in English
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise
This course is part of the Principles of Microeconomics Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate

Explore more from Economics
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online






