What effect does an increase in demand typically have on equilibrium price?

An increase in demand typically results in a higher equilibrium price due to the dynamics of supply and demand. When demand for a product or service increases, consumers are willing to pay more for it, reflecting their increased desire for that particular item. This heightened demand means that at the original equilibrium price, the quantity demanded exceeds the quantity supplied, creating a shortage.

To address this shortage, suppliers may raise their prices, leading to a new equilibrium where the quantity supplied matches the quantity demanded. Consequently, the equilibrium price rises as the market adjusts to the new level of demand. This fundamental principle of economics illustrates how market forces respond to changes in consumer behavior, reinforcing the relationship between demand and price in determining equilibrium.