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What Is Economic Stagnation?
Economic stagnation, which is sometimes called economic immobilism, occurs when an economy goes through a period of slow growth. Opinions about what constitutes slow growth vary, but most economists apply the term stagnation to any extended period during which gross domestic product rises by less than 2 or 3 percent. In capitalist nations, growth is seen as a crucial component of a healthy economy.
Economic stagnation often begins when the supply of goods outstrips consumer demand. During a recession, many companies begin to layoff workers, leading to less overall disposable income and a reduction in consumer spending. Before manufacturers have a chance to slow down production, a surplus of inventory quickly builds up, leading to an imbalance between supply and demand. Economic stagnation begins when companies slow down production and wait for existing supplies of inventory to be depleted before producing more goods.
Countries can also experience economic stagnation as a result of economic booms if consumers save a large percentage of their disposable income. In such situations, people save excess funds during the boom years, causing consumers to have more than enough money to buy the goods that they need and leading to a temporary spike in consumption. Thereafter, consumption drops and consumers with large stockpiles of cash have little incentive to work more, so production slows down and the gross domestic product of the nation begins to drop.
Governments can use a variety of different tools to try and address economic stagnation that range from increasing unemployment benefits to printing more money. Recipients of unemployment benefits are able to spend more than those who receive no such funds, and their expenditure can help to address the imbalance between supply and demand. Governments have to raise taxes to cover the cost of increased welfare expenses, and this means that other consumers experience a drop in income due to increase taxation. Taxpayers have to reduce their spending to account for their increased tax burden, and their reduced spending causes the economy to stagnate once again.
Some governments try to encourage consumer consumption by printing more money and lowering interest rates. These actions can stimulate the economy in the short-term, but in the long-term the excess cash in the economy can lead to inflation. As prices rise, consumers have less money to spend and before long supply starts to outstrip demand, and the nation enters another period of economic stagnation. Despite the efforts of economists and politicians to battle stagnation, economic downturns tend to be cyclical.
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![Economic stagflation might lead to failing companies laying off workers.]()
By: PaoleseEconomic stagflation might lead to failing companies laying off workers. -
![Economic stagnation can impact a parent's ability to provide proper nutrition to children.]()
By: JorgeAlejandroEconomic stagnation can impact a parent's ability to provide proper nutrition to children. -
![Economic stagnation may make it difficult for individuals to find employment.]()
By: Brad WynnykEconomic stagnation may make it difficult for individuals to find employment. -
![The slow growth of an economy during a recession may lead to a decline in investment in the construction industry.]()
By: ElenathewiseThe slow growth of an economy during a recession may lead to a decline in investment in the construction industry.
Discussion Comments
In 2021, we are entering a period of stagnation. I expect it will be a hard time for many who have no money. I expect to see bread lines during this 2021 year as covid keeping is killing the economy.
The big corporations will have to be taxed by the democrats to pay for the people to eat. The rich will also have to be taxed since the government is at its spending limit. Will be a hard time for all since few can work due to the lockdown of the economy. The tax base will be at O. The best people to look at to tax by Democrats and left will be the rich and the corporations and the foreign countries owning assets in USA, they will be only holders of money. Everyone else will be broke.
Luckily the Democrats are in charge of the presidency, and both houses of Congress and can make it happen.
Trump had the economy going well in 2020 and then china killed it with the covid.
The last paragraph of the article is so correct. Governments are often tempted to reduce interest rates and print money for economic relief. And it works too, for a very short time. But in the long term, things become worse as the article said. It's easy to use these short term solutions but it's much wiser to plan long term and find more permanent resolutions for economic stagnation. This is what economists suggest as well.
@fBoyle-- I believe 2008 was the beginnings of an economic recession, not stagnation. Recession is far more serious and causes more issues. I think we might be in a stagnation now but things are far better as of 2014. The last I checked, the unemployment rate was down to 5.8% which is not as bad as before.
I agree that there is room for improvement. I'm sure there are many people who are looking for better employment opportunities even if they are employed. Because of the recession, people had to take jobs outside of their field in order to make ends meet. So even though unemployment rates are decreasing, I too don't believe that people are exactly where they want to be.
The 90s were definitely a great period for the US economically. There was a lot of economic growth and many industries took off at that time. But times have changed. There are jobs but they are concentrated in certain fields. So those who are not in those fields are having a harder time than those who are.
When I graduated from college in 2008, the economy was stagnant. It was a very tough time to find a job and there were many qualified, experienced people applying for jobs. In 2014, I don't think that much has changed. People say things are better but I think it also depends on the industry and field. Some industries are doing very well, others are still experiencing stagnancy and slow growth. I miss the US economy from the mid 90s when things were far, far better.
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