During the Great Depression, US unemployment rate rose from virtually 0% in 1929 to a peak of 25.6% in May 1933. This was the equivalent of 15 million people unemployed. Though this unemployment rate also excluded those on reduced hours or migrants/women not eligible to officially sign on for benefits. The unemployment caused serious economic …
A recession (fall in national income) will typically be characterised by high unemployment, falling average incomes, increased inequality and higher government borrowing. The impact of a recession depends on how long it lasts and the depth of the fall in output. The main costs of a recession will be: Unemployment Fall in income – shorter …
A look at various economic policies to deal with an economic crisis, such as a fall in GDP. Economic crisis could involve Lack of economic growth/recession High Unemployment Long-term structural deficits Lack of confidence in finance and consumer sector. Rapid devaluation Solutions to economic crisis Fiscal policy – When the government influences demand through changing …
Since Jan 2017, US borrowing has increased – with over $2.7 trillion added to the US national debt. Whilst fears over debt are often over-blown, there is little long-term benefit or justification for these high levels of borrowing. The past few years represent a missed opportunity to reduce debt as % of GDP and/or invest …
The optimal inflation rate is often considered to be around 2%. For example: The UK target inflation of 2% +/-1 The ECB target inflation of less than 2% US Federal Reserve target inflation of less than 2% (But from 2020 are likely to make inflation target symmetrical like the UK) Why Central Banks wish to …
Definition of leverage ratio The leverage ratio is the proportion of debts that a bank has compared to its equity/capital. There are different leverage ratios such as Debt to Equity = Total debt / Shareholders Equity Debt to Capital = Total debt / Capital (debt+equity) Debt to Assets = Total debt / Assets Leverage ratios …
A significant issue in the US political economy is the perceived transgressions of Chinese economic policy. These tend to revolve around: Undervalued Yuan – making Chinese imports cheaper Current account (trade) deficit. China exports more goods and services than imports – switching demand from US firms to Chinese firms. Copyright infringements and lack of intellectual …
A recession is a period of negative economic growth. In a recession, we see falling real GDP, falling average incomes and rising unemployment. This graph shows US economic growth 2001-2016. The period 2008-09 shows the deep recession, where real GDP fell sharply. Other things we are likely to see in a recession 1. Unemployment The …