geldwerten

Geldwerten refers to monetary values expressed in currency units, i.e., the nominal value of money rather than its purchasing power. In economics and accounting, Geldwerte are the face amounts recorded in contracts, prices, debts and financial statements without adjustments for inflation or changes in value over time. The concept helps distinguish between nominal (Geldwert) values and real values, the latter reflecting actual purchasing power.

The key distinction is between nominal value (Geldwert) and real value. Inflation or deflation alters the real value of money, so the same Geldwert can have different purchasing power at different times. For example, a debt of 1,000 euros has a fixed Geldwert, but its real burden depends on how prices have changed since the loan was taken.

Applications and usage vary across contexts. In accounting and finance, amounts are often presented as Geldwerte. Some contracts or pension provisions are indexed to inflation to maintain real value, while macroeconomic analysis frequently reports both nominal Geldwerte and real values adjusted by price indices to reflect true changes in purchasing power.

Examples illustrate the concept: a loan of 1,000 euros has a Geldwert of 1,000 euros, yet the real value of repaying that loan depends on the price level at repayment. Policymakers aim to stabilize the Geldwert by controlling inflation, preserving the purchasing power of money over time.