Which condition leads to lower steady-state consumption according to shifts in the saving rate?

A decrease in the saving rate directly impacts the amount of resources that are allocated towards consumption and investment in the economy. When individuals save less of their income, there is a smaller pool of funds available for future consumption. This reduced saving can lead to lower levels of capital accumulation over time, which ultimately results in a decreased steady-state level of consumption.

In macroeconomic models, particularly the Solow growth model, a lower saving rate means that the economy will not be able to sustain as high a level of capital stock in the long run. With less capital available, productivity may decrease, leading to less output and, consequently, lower overall consumption per capita in the steady state.

Comparatively, an increase in depreciation would lead to higher consumption needs to replace capital, thereby affecting savings negatively. A decrease in population growth relates to a higher steady-state consumption level as there are fewer individuals sharing the available output. An increase in investment efficiency typically allows for higher returns on invested resources, which would support higher consumption over time, rather than lowering it. Thus, the condition leading to lower steady-state consumption is indeed a decrease in the saving rate.