Inflaatiovauhti

Inflaatiovauhti refers to the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising. It is a measure of inflation. This rate is typically expressed as a percentage. A positive inflaatiovauhti indicates that prices are increasing, while a negative rate, known as deflation, signifies that prices are falling.

The most common way to measure inflaatiovauhti is by tracking changes in a price index, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. By comparing the CPI from one period to another, economists can calculate the inflaatiovauhti. For example, if the CPI was 100 in January and 102 in February, the inflaatiovauhti for that month would be 2%.

Central banks and governments closely monitor inflaatiovauhti as it has significant economic implications. High inflation can erode purchasing power, decrease the value of savings, and create economic uncertainty. Conversely, very low inflation or deflation can discourage spending and investment, potentially leading to economic stagnation. Therefore, maintaining a stable and moderate inflaatiovauhti is often a key objective of monetary policy. Different countries may have different inflation targets, but generally, a low and predictable rate is considered desirable.