Readers Question: what are the advantages and disadvantages of inflation?
The Advantages of Inflation:
1. Deflation (a fall in prices – negative inflation) is very harmful. For example, the Japanese economy has suffered lower growth because of deflation. When prices are falling people are reluctant to spend money because they are concerned that prices will be cheaper in the future, therefore, they keep delaying purchases. There are many more cost of deflation in this essay on: Costs of deflation
2. Moderate inflation enables adjustment of prices and wages. It is argued a moderate rate of inflation makes it easier to adjust relative wages and prices. For example, it may be difficult to cut nominal wages (workers resent wage cut). But, if average prices are rising, it is easier to increase good workers wages more than unproductive workers.
3. Inflation can boost growth. At times of very low inflation the economy may be stuck in a recession. Arguably targeting a higher rate of inflation can enable a boost to growth. This view is controversial. Not all economists would support targeting a higher inflation rate. However, some would target higher inflation, if the economy was stuck in a prolonged recession. See: Optimal inflation rate
Disadvantages of Inflation
Inflation is considered to be a problem when the inflation rate rises above 2%. The higher the inflation, the more serious the problem it is.
- In a modern economy, the Government are most concerned about the destabilising impact of inflation.
- Inflationary growth tends to be unsustainable leading to a damaging period of boom and bust economic cycles.
- Inflation tends to discourage investment and long term economic growth. This is because of the uncertainty and confusion that is more likely to occur during periods of high inflation.
- Inflation can make an economy uncompetitive. For example, higher rate of inflation in Italy can make Italian exports uncompetitive. This is particularly important for countries in the Euro-zone because they can’t devalue to restore competitiveness.
- Reduce value of savings. Inflation leads to a fall in the value of money. This makes savers worse off and can lead to a redistribution of income in society. Often it is pensioners who lose out most from inflation. This is particularly a problem if inflation is high and interest rates low.
- Menu costs – costs of changing prices lists. Not so significant with modern technology.
Related
Inflation has both positv &negatv side hence we cannot rule out that it bad
Inflation is that condition of an economy which is harmful and at the sametime it is a hurdle to developing any economy and contry. inflation prevents development of economy, growth of economy and same time it affect badly to the service sector of any economy. During inflation people suffer from such a condition that is very different. People do have money, but the purchasing power of that money is very low.”
According to me inflation should be controled very iffectively otherwise it may affect each and every factor of balancing every economy.”.
honestly, there is “NO ANSWER” for which one better than the other one in case of deflation and inflation. There are pros and cons in every of this macroeconomic problems. To be simple, lets take a look on the inflation problem,
As we know, inflation rise in the general price level. Do you think it effecting us more? or effecting badly for those who giving loan to others?. This is because when inflation happen, the value of money currently not representing the value they expecting during the past value of money. Meaning to say, they earn loss. Therefore, inflation scared for those who are giving loan to others, but, becoming an advantages for us who previously applying loan.
I my point of view inflation in the luxuries goods will not affect more people. But inflation in the daily product (milk, onions,sugar) it will affect lot of poor people in developing countries…. by junior economics student….
inflation is the most thing that we deal with for the people in somali because alot of different country effected this inflation but in somali no thanks alot
bbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
In reality inflation is a threat to the economy, it decline the economic growth and it can lead it to financial crisis…However it can be as an advantage to the conuntry simply because it decrease the demand……
inflation may not be that good but deflation is not that good because it does not encourage productivity.at least a low inflrate is helpfull but not deflation
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inflation may not be that good but dn is not very bad because it does not encourage productivity.at least a low inflrate is helpfull but not deflation
The analysis is very simple, they don’t even consider low unemployment which occurs when there is inflation as a benefit…
My feeling is that depending on the nature of the economy of a country, inflation can either be good or bad. But in general, mild inflation (anticipated level) is encouraging producers while high level of inflation will put everybody such as individuals, lenders, bussinessmen, government, economies, etc into a bad shape.
what i saw from the feedback that alot of people prefer inflation. the question am asking now is; why do most people prefer inflation to deflation ? is it because such guys are business owrners and they don’t to earn alittle or what ? what about poor people. how can they make ends meet? think properly, think widely, think about the poor first. then i am sure, you are going to change your mind.
plz mail me about inflation, deflation, indusrial analysis on iron n steel .
thanking you , byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
ACCODING TO ME,
INGFLTION IS A DANGERIOUS OBSTACLE TO THE POOR. IT AFFECTS THE POOR BADLY AND PUSHES THEM INTO THE POVERTY TRAP. THUS INFLATION IS AS DANGERIOUS AS A MASSIVE WEAPON
i would disagree on this point because inflation is still better than deflation due to people try to buy goods at the prevailing price ,as they know that there would be a increase in price in the near future on the contrary while deflation people wait for the product to become more cheaper ,which results into the blockage of stock.making the condition worse thus from the two devils inflation is a better option .!
Hello im Rajesh Mulchandani according to me it is very dangerous rise in infltion mostly in developing countries and when there is crisis picture of economy of that particular contry in opposite of that that very same country face the deflation and unemployment.
I AM SAMEER WE CAN SAY THAT INFLATION IS NOT HELP FULL TO OUR COUNTARY /
According to my thinking capacity, inflation can be helpfull to your country in such a way that it can reduce the demand, which is one of the most courses of inflation…In addition , it can also encourage foreign investors as they will get more interest from their investment,,by this way your country will benefit from more foreign currencies………..