inflasjonsrater
Inflasjonsrater refer to the percentage increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. This increase signifies a reduction in the purchasing power of money; each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services than it did before. Economists typically measure inflation using price indexes, such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Producer Price Index (PPI). The CPI tracks the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of consumer goods and services. The PPI measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. A positive inflasjonsrate indicates that prices are rising, while a negative rate, known as deflation, means prices are falling. Central banks often aim for a low and stable inflasjonsrate, as high inflation can erode savings, create economic uncertainty, and distort investment decisions. Conversely, persistent deflation can discourage spending and investment, leading to economic stagnation. Understanding and managing inflasjonsrater is a key objective of monetary policy for most governments.