Materials used to obtain energy through combustion. This is the main source of energy, without which very few economic activities are possible. The main fuels used in the modern world are coal, oil, and natural gas, and nuclear material for use in reactors; wood remains important in many less developed countries. Many activities use energy in the form of electricity, which is mostly fuel-based, though hydro-electricity provides part of the supply. Other possible non-fuel energy sources are solar energy, wind energy, and tidal power: these provide only a tiny part of present and prospective world energy requirements. Fuel thus seems indispensable for the foreseeable future.

• negative
• negative equity
• negative income tax
• neoclassical economics
• net
• Net Book Agreement
• net capital formation
• net domestic product
• net economic welfare
• net exports
• net foreign assets
• net investment
• net national product
• net present value
• net profit
• net property income from abroad
• net tangible assets
• net transfer income from abroad
• net wealth
• network externality
• net worth
• net yield
• neutrality of money
• neutral taxes
• new classical economics