• An absolute advantage is when a manufacturer can provide a greater quantity of a product or service for the same price or the same quantity at a lower price than its competitors.

  • According to the concept developed by Adam Smith, absolute advantage can be the basis for large profits from trade between producers of different goods with different absolute advantages.
  • Through specialization, division of labor and trade, producers with different absolute advantages can always win more than production and consumption separately.
  • Absolute advantage can be contrasted with comparative advantage, which is the ability to produce goods and services at lower opportunity costs.