A shortage occurs when the demand for a product or service exceeds its available supply. This can happen for various reasons, such as natural disasters, increased consumer interest, or production issues. For example, if many people want to buy toilet paper during a crisis, but factories can't produce enough, a shortage will occur. Shortages can lead to higher prices and competition among buyers. When stores run out of a popular item, customers may have to wait for restocks or pay more to get it from other sources. Understanding shortages helps us see how interconnected our economy is and how quickly things can change.