The aim is to measure how consumers’ purchasing power is affected by rising prices. There are three main steps to measuring inflation Give a weighting to the importance of different goods to the typical basket of goods. Measure the change in price Convert into the index – multiplying the weight by the price change. Steps …
The Natural rate of unemployment is mainly composed of frictional and structural unemployment. Therefore, factors that affect these types of unemployment will alter the natural rate. It is argued the level of unemployed benefits can affect frictional unemployment. If the ratio of benefits to paid employment is high, then there is little incentive to take …
The natural rate of unemployment occurs when the labour market is in equilibrium; it is mainly composed of frictional and structural unemployment. The natural rate of unemployment is affected by supply-side factors such as geographical/occupational immobilities and labour market imperfections. Firstly, it is argued the level of unemployment benefits can affect the level of frictional …
Should the government be concerned if the CPI rises to 5%? Costs of Inflation The Government set the MPC a target for CPI of 2.% +/-1. It believes inflation higher than 3.0% is potentially damaging to the economy. Decline in relative competitiveness. If inflation in the UK is higher than elsewhere, then UK goods will …
Readers Question: It has been suggested in a philosophy/economics class that I am taking that given the current state of income inequality between the 1% and 99%, that a period of stagflation might be an effective equalizer. I don’t see it. Any thoughts? Stagflation is a period of negative economic growth (or very low growth) …
Readers question: “Can an economy achieve low unemployment, low inflation and economic growth at the same time?” To achieve low unemployment, low inflation and economic growth at the same time is possible. For example, the UK economy 1993-2006 saw a prolonged period of low inflationary growth. Since early 2000, the Chinese economy has been growing …
Inflation targeting means Central Banks are responsible for using monetary policy to keep inflation close to the agreed target (usually around 2%). Since the mid-1990s, inflation targeting has become widely adopted by developed economies, such as UK, US, and the Eurozone. Inflation targets were introduced to help reduce inflation expectations and help avoid the periods …
Readers Question: What is the relationship between inflation & economic growth? If economic growth is caused by aggregate demand (AD) increasing faster than productive capacity (LRAS) – if economic growth is above the ‘long-run trend rate‘ then economic growth is likely to cause inflation. If economic growth is caused by increased productivity (LRAS), then the …