Inflation is the general rise in prices of goods and services over time. Inflation can be caused by various factors, such as increased demand or supply shortages, but is often tied to increases in production costs.
There are two types of inflation: demand-pull and cost-push
Demand-pull inflation occurs when consumer demand for goods outpaces production, leading to shortages that drive up prices.
Cost-push inflation occurs when producers raise their prices because they have higher costs for ingredients or labor.
Remember it as the “Four P’s.”
To remember the four P’s, consider a famous phrase: “People, Places, Things, and Prices.”
The first is production, or the number of goods and services available for purchase. It’s important to note that not all production is equal. Some countries have better technology, making their products cheaper or better quality. For example, a computer produced in India will be cheaper than one made in China because it uses less labor-intensive methods and has lower input costs (e.g., raw materials).
Next comes prices. The price of consumer goods is set by demand and supply. If there is a low demand for a product, producers will reduce their prices until they find a level where people want to buy more. Conversely, producers will increase their prices if there’s high demand until consumers stop buying so much. Inflation occurs when there’s too much money chasing too few goods or services.
1. Production Costs (Manufacturing, Farming, Mining)
Inflation occurs when the cost of producing goods and services increases. Three main categories contribute to this increase:
- Production Costs (Manufacturing, Farming, Mining)
- Labor Costs
- Capital Costs
2. Prices and Wages (The Cost of Goods, labor)
The most important determinants of inflation are the price and wage of goods, labor, and services in an economy.
When prices rise above 4% a year, this is considered inflation.
Inflation occurs when an imbalance exists between the supply and demand of goods and services.
That imbalance could be due to increased production or a reduced supply of goods or services (or both). In such situations, companies try to raise their prices to balance their profit margins. A similar situation arises when fewer jobs are available compared to the number of people who need them. In such an event, wages tend to rise faster than inflation. As a result, they increase faster than the overall rate at which prices increase (i.e., across sectors).
3. Productivity (Output per worker)
Productivity is the amount of output per worker. It is also sometimes called efficiency, and it can be increased by making workers more efficient.
For example, suppose a worker produces $100 worth of cars in an hour. If the same worker can produce $150 worth of cars in an hour, productivity has increased by 50%. That increase may occur for several reasons:
First, the worker might be working faster (more efficiently).
Second, the worker might have better tools or equipment to help them work (more efficiently).
Third, workers may have received additional training or education to work more efficiently (more productive).
4. Population (Consumer demand)
Consumerism, or consumer spending, is one of the most critical factors in determining inflation rates.
For example, let’s say you’re a consumer with $50 to spend on groceries. You go to the grocery store and find that everything costs only $10 per item or half its regular price! You’re happy because you’ll be able to afford twice as many goods as usual for your money.
However, this increase in price doesn’t affect everyone else who shops at that particular store. Maybe someone else goes in with $100 and finds that everything costs twice as much. That means there has been inflation—but not because prices have increased. Instead, more people are shopping in this particular market (meaning they can afford more).
When populations grow (especially in developing countries), their demand increases along with consumption rates until there’s no longer enough supply available to meet all demands. That leads directly to another form of inflation known as scarcity pricing. Sellers charge higher prices just so consumers have a higher incentive to purchase goods/services and maintain healthy lifestyles (..e., organic foods).
Steps toward “Disinflation” (reducing inflation)
Inflation can be reduced by slowing growth in both productivity and population. It may require a combination of slower growth in the labor force (see step 1) and even lower wages than predicted inflation rates (see step 3).
Reducing inflation also involves controlling production costs by negotiating discounts for raw materials and finding less expensive suppliers for necessary items.
1. Decrease in productivity slows the growth
The first step in understanding inflation is to understand productivity.
Productivity is the amount of work performed in a given period. When you’re in school, for example, your productivity might be measured by how many pages you read or how many problems you solve during a specific period (i.e., an hour). If your school increases its capital investment—that is, if they buy more desks and computers—and improves technology (Laptops instead of pens), it will produce more goods per unit of labor, which means lower prices!
2. Slowdown in population growth reduces strain on production capacity and keeps unemployment high, so workers don’t ask for raises
When a country’s population growth slows, it becomes more difficult for companies to find enough workers to keep up with demand. So the only way they can fill their vacancies is by raising wages.
That means inflation rates will offset any pay increase. In other words, if you’re getting paid more because of rising wages but your cost of living is also rising due to inflation, you won’t be any better off than before. After all, your salary isn’t worth as much.
However, suppose there aren’t enough skilled or unskilled workers available during this period where companies compete over less talent than usual. In that case, unemployment rates tend to remain higher than usual. As a result, employers can’t get as many people interested in what they have available as usual!
3. Reduce wage costs by keeping wages lower than predicted inflation rates
If you are a business owner, you face the challenge of making a profit. A big part of this is reducing your costs while keeping your revenue. One way to do this is to keep wages lower than predicted inflation rates.
Another way to reduce production costs is by working more efficiently or effectively. For example, if your company can increase its output per hour worked, it has reduced its labor cost per unit produced (or service provided).
4. Control production costs by negotiating volume discounts for raw materials and finding less expensive suppliers for necessary items
You can control production costs by negotiating volume discounts with your suppliers. They will then reduce their prices. Similarly, you should also find less expensive suppliers for necessary items.
When negotiating a volume discount, ask if they’ll provide a better price if you order more units (such as ten units instead of 5). The same goes for finding cheaper suppliers. Ask how much it would cost to buy the same item from them instead of somewhere else.
Inflation can be controlled by controlling the Four P’s
The four P’s of inflation are production costs, prices and wages, productivity, and population.
Inflation can be controlled by controlling these factors. For example, when too much money is in circulation relative to the goods available for purchase (a condition known as excess demand), it creates upward pressure on prices. The result is inflation.
Too much money chasing too few goods causes prices to increase. Reducing the amount of money in circulation will reduce this pressure on prices and lower inflationary pressures overall.
Conclusion
Inflation is a dangerous economic disease that can cause severe damage to your savings and investments. It will hurt you even more if you don’t understand how it works.
We hope this article has given you some insight into the causes of inflation and how to protect yourself against it by controlling the Four P’s.