Firms generally prefer inflation to be low and stable. If inflation rises above 3 or 4%, firms may see a rise in costs and uncertainty. Inflation can also cause firms problems of rising costs, falling profitability, and a decline in international competitiveness. However, inflation is not necessarily damaging for a firm – especially, if they …
Long-term economic forecasting can be very difficult. A well known joke by John Kenneth Galbraith is: “The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” However, although there is some truth in this wisecrack, in the short term, we can be reasonably confident about predictions for inflation. In particular, if we see …
Readers Question: How can a developing country grow without inflation? Economic growth can lead to inflation, for example, if demand rises faster than productive capacity, then we will see rising prices. However, economic growth is compatible with low inflation, and developing economies which can increase productive capacity and general efficiency can see rising living standards …
When food prices rise in the developed world, it is an inconvenience, something to grumble about. But, when food prices rise in the developing world, it can make a difference between going hungry and getting enough to eat. Food inflation is volatile. Agricultural prices tend to fluctuate because demand and supply are both inelastic and …
A chain-weighted inflation measure takes into account changes in both price and spending patterns. A chain-weighted inflation index measures both changes in the price of goods but also reflects changes in the number of goods bought. For example, suppose you buy two goods which are close substitutes – bananas (30p) and apples (30p) At this …
The ONS produce an RPI pensioner index which is the inflation rate calculated for the spending patterns of the average pensioner. The series is here: RPI Pensioner index CZIT – Percentage change over 12 months: One-person pensioner households index. CZJI – Percentage change over 12 months – Two-person pensioner households index Why do pensioners have …
In the UK, there are quite a few different measures of inflation. All measures seek to show the annual change in living costs. However, different measures of inflation give different inflation figures. For example, RPI can often give a higher rate of inflation than CPI. CPI can also be misleading. For example, an increase in VAT …
Readers question: should the government focus on achieving a particular macroeconomic objective over the others? This is a good question. There is a lot that can be said because it encompasses so many different topics. Firstly, the three main macro-economic objectives: Higher economic growth Low inflation Low unemployment There are also less important objectives Reducing …