What Are the Three Major Inflation Types?

We are all aware of inflation, an increase in prices throughout the economy. Who among us hasn’t thought back to earlier times when rent was more affordable or when lunch was less expensive? And who hasn’t observed how costs gradually increase for everything from milk to movie tickets? In this article, we examine the primary forms of inflation and briefly discuss the alternative hypotheses put out by various economic schools.

1.1.The main categories of inflation are as follows:

• Cost-push Inflation
• demand-pull inflation
• inherent inflation

So, according to Christopher Blake, assistant professor of economics at Oxford College of Emory University, the nation is currently experiencing all three primary forms of inflation, which is unusual. Since we typically only experience one type of inflation, He claims that the current situation is more complicated than it has been in the past 40 years.

Demand-Pull Inflation

Demand-pull inflation refers to the possibility of price increases for products and services due to increased demand. When there is a shortage of anything, individuals frequently pay extra.

Even though airfare is far more expensive than usual, are you still paying for your plane tickets for a vacation? That’s an excellent illustration of demand-pull inflation.

According to Blake, the U.S. is experiencing demand-pull inflation due to growing salaries and the fact that people have a respectable amount of cash in savings accounts, even though some customers are starting to empty those accounts.

Cost-Push Inflation

When demand-pull inflation is at its peak, cost-push inflation frequently begins. Businesses must raise their pricing in response to rising raw material costs, regardless of market demand.

Blake asserts that companies are put in a difficult position by price increases that manufacturers must deal with. They have two options: keep their pricing the same while accepting increasing costs or strive to maintain the same profit margins.

For instance, your favorite restaurant will ultimately have to increase the price of a chicken sandwich if the cost of chicken keeps rising.

Built-in inflation

The person may request pay increases from their companies as demand-pull inflation and cost-push inflation occurs. Employers risk experiencing a labor scarcity if they don’t maintain their pay competitively.

Built-in inflation occurs when a company increases employee pay or salaries while trying to preserve profit margins by boosting prices.

You are now a victim of cost-push inflation if you find that your favorite coffee shop is boosting prices due to the rising cost of coffee beans.

Additionally, you contribute to demand-pull inflation if you purchase that coffee despite the uncomfortable price.

How Is Inflation Typically Measured?

The federal government primarily uses two methods to calculate inflation.

However, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) isn’t the only tool used to track inflation by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; it is one of several.

Additionally, the Federal government uses the Personal Consumption Expenditure Price Index (PCE). Here is how each index functions and which index the Federal Reserve believes to be a more accurate inflation gauge.

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), keeps track of price changes for almost 80,000 distinct goods and services., including food, gasoline, apparel, and outlays for childcare and preschool expenditures, college tuition, and funeral costs.

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)

In contrast to the Total Consumer Expenditures Price Index (PCE) tracks price adjustments for consumer products and services, it differs significantly from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in several important ways, along with the fact that it tracks all products and services that Americans consume, rather than just those you pay for out of pocket.

What Kind of Inflation Are We Currently Witnessing?

As previously mentioned, all three primary forms of inflation are present in the United States. But pain is not limited to the United States. The significant causes of record inflation are believed to be rising salaries, rising energy costs, and rising interest rates.

The Covid-19 epidemic was the spark that ignited the inflationary inferno. The inability to work due to illness impacted the supply chain, affecting prices for items with a limited supply. It hasn’t also helped that the conflict in Ukraine has had a knock-on impact that has driven up the cost of food and oil.

The Federal Reserve in the United States has been increasing interest rates to make lending a more costly move that frequently restrains inflation. The Fed’s goal is to avoid raising interest rates excessively. Currently, benchmark interest rates are between 1.5% and 1.75%; before 2022, they were almost zero.

You might wonder why not immediately halt inflation by raising interest rates to 5%. The Federal Reserve runs the danger of starting a recession if interest rates are increased too soon and dramatically. One possible result of skyrocketing borrowing interest rates is that company owners may not believe they can manage to take out a loan to make investments in their companies. The economy begins to contract rather than flourish if enough companies cease borrowing money to expand their operations.

You can also visit reverse inflation calculator page.