Inflation: Meaning and Major Causes
Inflation: Meaning and Major Causes Inflation refers to a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. It is not merely a situation where the prices of a few commodities rise temporarily; rather, it is a persistent and broad-based rise in prices. More precisely, inflation represents a decline in the purchasing power of money. When inflation prevails, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services than before. Thus, inflation reflects the erosion of real income and the value of savings. Economists measure inflation using indices such as the Consumer Price Index and the Wholesale Price Index, which track changes in average price levels over time. Inflation may arise from various structural and macroeconomic factors. Among the major drivers are demand-pull inflation, cost-push inflation, excessive growth in money supply, and supply chain or distribution disruptions. Each of these causes operates through distinct ec...