Reader’s Question: Why Does Inflation Make it Easier for Governments to pay back the debt? The big fall in national debt as % of GDP occurred during relatively high inflation periods of 50s, 60s, and 70s. The 1920s and 30s were a period of deflation and high debt. There are a few reasons inflation …
Readers Question: what are the pros and cons of price control? Summary Price controls can take the form of maximum and minimum prices. Price controls can also be used to limit price increases as a way to try and reduce the rate of inflation. Maximum prices can reduce the price of food to make it …
GDP is gross domestic product – it is a measure of the total value of what is produced in an economy GNP is gross national product – a measure of the total income that stays in an economy. The difference is that GNP takes into account the net income flows (e.g. dividends) that are sent …
This occurs when a firm or consumer has no option but to accept the price set by the market. When a firm is a price taker – it means they have no ability to set a price that they would like to charge. A price taker will lack market power. Conditions for being a price …
War has always had substantial economic costs, but war is becoming increasingly costly for both belligerents and bystanders. This is due to both the monetary costs of fighting and the economic fallout of sanctions. During the cold war, there was a theory that nuclear war would ensure a mutual self-destruction – and this assured mutual …
Summary – Periods of high inflation usually lead to lower returns on the stock market because higher inflation is likely to lead to higher interest rates, lower economic growth and lower dividends. Impact of high inflation on share prices If the inflation rate increases, this will make investors wary for a few reasons. Firstly, if …
Definition of Household savings ratio: The percentage of disposable income that is saved. (1) Total savings = Disposable income – Household consumption UK Saving Ratio Latest UK household savings ratio: 2021 = 10% But, by 2021 Q4 the saving ratio had fallen to 6.2% By contrast, the average savings ratio in the past 54 years …
Summary Natural gas is a key raw material for heating and electricity generation, therefore higher prices will significantly increase the cost of living, increase inflation and could slow down economic growth. In the long term, higher gas prices will encourage consumers to find alternatives and firms to increase supply (e.g. fracking for natural gas), but …