Shrinking cities are dense cities that have experienced notable population loss. Emigration (migration from a place) is a common reason for city shrinkage. Since the infrastructure of such cities was built to support a larger population, its maintenance can become a serious concern. A related phenomenon is counter urbanization.
DEFINITION of 'Trade Surplus'. An economic measure of a positive balance of trade, where a country's exports exceeds its imports. A trade surplus represents a net inflow of domestic currency from foreign markets, and is the opposite of a trade deficit, which would represent a net outflow. Next Up.
(The $198.7 billion deficit in goods last year was offset by an $85 billion surplus in services.)(6) Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, trade deficits have spawned worry about âunfairâ foreign trade barriers, lost jobs, and Americaâs ability to compete in the global marketplace.