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What Is the Relationship between GDP and Inflation?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

GDP and inflation are both considered important economic indicators. It is widely believed that there is a relationship between the two. The problem is that there are disagreements as to what that relationship is or how it operates. As a result, when governments make decisions based on these pieces of information, the outcome often cannot be guaranteed.

Exploration of the relationship between GDP and inflation is best begun by developing an understanding of each term individually. GDP is an acronym for gross domestic product, which is the value of a nation's goods and services during a specified period. This figure is generally regarded as an important indicator of of an economy's health. It can be thought of much in the same way that lab results indicate an individual's health.

For the consumer, inflation lowers the value of currency, as the cost of what they buy goes up.
For the consumer, inflation lowers the value of currency, as the cost of what they buy goes up.

Inflation refers to a situation where average price levels increase or when the amount of currency increases. As a result, money has less purchasing power. As a simplistic example, pretend that a country's monetary unit is called a yen and each yen purchases a cup of rice and a slice of meat. When individuals go to the market one day, they find that getting a cup of rice and slice of meat will cost two yen. In this instance, inflation has occurred.

The Federal Reserve constantly monitors for inflationary risks to the U.S. economy.
The Federal Reserve constantly monitors for inflationary risks to the U.S. economy.

Understanding how these two terms are related will not be as simple. The main reason why is because the relationship is the subject of much debate. To begin with, there is no consensus on the exact causes of inflation. Many people believe that it occurs when there is too much money and not enough goods and services available.

According to this belief system, prices are pushed up when people are competing for a limited supply of items. This means that an increase of GDP, or growth in the amount of goods and services, should equate to a reduction in the level of prices for those items, or that deflation should occur, for those looking to use economic lingo. Everyone does not agree that this relationship is absolute.

An example of a type of inflation would be the increase in price of postage stamps, which in the U.S. went up to 25 cents in 1988 and nearly doubled in price within 27 years.
An example of a type of inflation would be the increase in price of postage stamps, which in the U.S. went up to 25 cents in 1988 and nearly doubled in price within 27 years.

GDP and inflation are often associated with one another because governments and central banks often make decisions based on these figures and they attempt to manipulate them. If an economy is not growing or is not growing fast enough, a central bank may lower interest rates to make borrowing more attractive. The logic behind this is that it will encourage spending, which will lead to a rise in GDP. The drawback of this move is that, according to many popular beliefs, it will also prompt inflation.

If an economy is growing too fast, which could lead to shortages because people are demanding products and services faster than they can be supplied, moves may be made slow GDP. This may be done by increasing interest rates, which is considered a means of making money harder to come by because borrowing is more expensive. According to many, this should help to control inflation because the effect should be less demand for good and services. Problems tend to arise, however, because actions focusing on manipulating GDP and inflation may not produce the intended effects, which tends to fuel the debate regarding their relationship.

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Discussion Comments

anon990891

Not plausible. The price of a basket of goods rising indicating wage growth? Did the chicken make the egg? Or the egg make the chicken?

I have more faith in inflation being the result of credit and government printing money.

I'm currently having a think about printing money and gdp growth.

percy12334

Well sandrews, it is quite simple really.

First of all, you must look at the three economic indicators and how they relate to wage growth. Wage growth is key in looking at inflation because inflation basically controls wage growth. Through the increase or decrease in taxes and the amount of money in circulation through the economy, a steady increase of about 3% is a must in consistent wage growth .

However, deflation is also a major factor. Deflation causes GDP and unemployment to rise. Therefore the economy is in a state of financial well being/not well being. This deflation causes GDP and unemployment to shrink actually.

The next factor is wage growth itself. Wage growth is basically money that is being paid to the federal government and actually the president himself. So with inflation rising, through GDP, unemployment and the presidents paycheck, wage growth will increase or decrease.

I hope this answers your question. And that is why wage growth is connected to the rate of inflation and the current economic standpoint in the modern era.

sandrews

I’m curious to know how wage growth factors into inflation. How does inflation affect real earnings, and what shows the true state of the economy: wage growth or inflation? Can either one of these potentially predict the state of our economy in the next five years?

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    • For the consumer, inflation lowers the value of currency, as the cost of what they buy goes up.
      By: Vasiliy Koval
      For the consumer, inflation lowers the value of currency, as the cost of what they buy goes up.
    • The Federal Reserve constantly monitors for inflationary risks to the U.S. economy.
      By: qingwa
      The Federal Reserve constantly monitors for inflationary risks to the U.S. economy.
    • An example of a type of inflation would be the increase in price of postage stamps, which in the U.S. went up to 25 cents in 1988 and nearly doubled in price within 27 years.
      By: Blue Moon
      An example of a type of inflation would be the increase in price of postage stamps, which in the U.S. went up to 25 cents in 1988 and nearly doubled in price within 27 years.