What Is a Non-Economic Good?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 05, 2020

Non-economic goods are goods or services that are plentiful and free. Air and dirt are considered non-economic goods since they are neither scarce nor valuable.

There is much debate over the value of goods such as food, shelter and health care. While these are economic goods, many argue that necessities for basic survival should be free. Endangered plant and animal species are also debatable resources. Endangered plant species with medicinal benefits are economic goods since they are beneficial to humans. Many endangered animal species, on the other hand, may be considered non-economic goods if they have little or no value to humans.