CPI and inflation are two important indicators in the national economy that are always shown together in economic reports. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. It is used as an indicator of inflation, which is an increase in the overall price level 1. The relationship between CPI and inflation reflects the health of a national economy
Have you ever wondered about the connection between CPI and inflation? And have you asked yourself, “Is CPI the best way to measure inflation?” If so, you’re not alone! In fact, these are common questions that many people have. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In the following article, we’ll dive into the relationship between CPI and inflation and discuss the limitations of using CPI for measuring inflation. So, grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and get ready to learn something new!
What is CPI?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a widely used measure of the cost of living for individuals. It represents the average price level of a typical basket of goods and is often used to calculate inflation. The CPI tracks the prices of basic goods and services purchased by households, including food, clothing, transportation, and entertainment expenses.
For example, if one kilogram of pork costs 70,000 VND in 2020 but 90,000 VND in 2025, the CPI will increase to reflect the increased cost of purchasing goods. The formula for calculating CPI is as follows:
CPI = (Cost of basket in current period / Cost of basket in base period) x 100
Using the example above, we can calculate the CPI of 2025 as follows:
CPI = (90,000 / 70,000) x 100 = 128
What is inflation?
Inflation is the increase in the overall price level of a type of goods. When inflation occurs, the value of the country’s currency decreases, meaning that for a certain amount of money, you will be able to purchase fewer products. For example, if you usually spend 60,000 VND for 1 kilogram of meat but inflation occurs, you may have to pay up to 70,000 VND for 1 kilogram of meat. This is called inflation.
Inflation also causes the domestic currency to lose value against foreign currencies. For example, if it currently takes 23,000 VND to buy 1 USD but there is inflation, you may have to pay 50,000 VND to buy 1 USD. Thus, the national currency has lost value in the international market.
There are three levels of inflation:
Natural inflation (0 - below 10%)
Moderate inflation (10% - below 1000%)
Hyperinflation (above 1000%)
If kept at a low level, inflation can actually help stimulate the economy. Therefore, countries often keep inflation at around 2-5%. However, if the inflation rate is too high, it will seriously affect the economy.
After understanding the concept of CPI and inflation, we can more accurately assess their relationship.
What is the relationship between CPI and inflation?
1. What is the relationship between CPI and inflation?
CPI and inflation are two indicators that are often presented together in economic reports. CPI is the most widely used measure of inflation and is an important indicator for measuring inflation. Fluctuations in CPI help authorities determine whether inflation is trending up or down. An increase in the consumer price index is synonymous with an increase in inflation and vice versa. Therefore, the relationship between CPI and inflation is symbiotic; they cannot be separated from each other.
Businesses use CPI to predict price fluctuations in the future, labor users use it to calculate the wages of the workers they hire, and the government uses it to decide whether to increase social security funds or not. Understanding the relationship between CPI and inflation is essential for making informed decisions about economic policy.
Inflation is calculated based on CPI using the following formula: π = (CPI^t - CPI^(t-1)) / CPI^(t-1) x 100% where: • π: The inflation rate to be calculated • CPI^t: Consumer Price Index in period t • CPI^(t-1): Consumer Price Index in the previous year
We can see that the inflation rate is calculated based on the annual consumer price index. If the supply of goods does not increase but the demand for goods increases, causing a shortage of supply, it will lead to inflation. The CPI represents the demand for goods. Therefore, the relationship between CPI and inflation is directly proportional.
When the CPI increases, it means that more money must be spent to purchase goods, and this causes the national currency to lose value compared to foreign currencies. Specifically, if CPI increases, it causes the US dollar to lose value. Traders should consider selling the US dollar when CPI increases or choosing other currencies to trade to minimize risks based on the relationship between CPI and inflation.
However, it’s important to note that the relationship between CPI and inflation is not the only relationship. Inflation is also measured by other indices, such as the Producer Price Index (PPI) or Base Price Index.
2. Limitations in the relationship between CPI and inflation
Although the relationship between CPI and inflation is close, there are still many limitations when using only CPI to measure the level of inflation. For example:
• CPI is not enough to represent inflation:CPI is determined based on a basket of representative products. However, consumer habits may vary depending on location, income level, etc. Therefore, calculating inflation using only CPI will not cover all industries. As a result, the calculated inflation rate is not objective. • Does not reflect specific costs: CPI generally only reflects personal expenses. However, consumers do not always have to pay 100% of the cost. For example, CPI may reflect medical expenses that users pay out of pocket but ignore the support from insurance companies. This can lead to inaccurate CPI calculations.
It’s important to keep these limitations in mind when interpreting economic reports that use CPI as a measure of inflation. Other indices such as the Producer Price Index (PPI) or Base Price Index may provide additional insights into the state of the economy.
We hope this article has helped you understand the relationship between CPI and inflation. Currently, CPI is still considered an important index for the economy and is closely related to inflation. Understanding this relationship will provide you with a more comprehensive view of the economy and enable you to plan appropriate investment strategies for the future. We wish you success!