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InflationOne of the biggest challenges that can afflict an economy, inflation is a monetary phenomenon wherein prices broadly rise and consumer purchasing power declines. From a practical perspective, it means your dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it did the day before.
In the US, the inflation rate has generally been around 2% to 3% per year since 1960, with a handful of notable spikes, and prices have risen nearly continuously since then. A dollar one century ago was worth $18 in 2024 terms.
Economists largely agree some small, stable amount of inflation is desirable, and most central banks set inflation targets that they attempt to control via the interest rates and money supply. Still, global economies remain subject to large-scale events that can trigger inflation—wars, natural disasters, pandemics, supply chain disruptions, and more.Explore Inflation
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Mapping projected food inflation across the world in 2026Iran tops the list of hardest-hit countries with a projected 56% inflation on food prices in 2026, followed by Argentina (33%) and Turkey (25%). In the opposite direction is Niger, whose food inflation is expected to drop 18% as a result of strong harvests and financial stabilization. The global average of food inflation is expected to be 3%. Visual CapitalistChina had an inflation rate of -0.4% in August 2025As opposed to other G20 countries that are largely struggling with high inflation rates, China is facing deflation. Sluggish growth in the country's once booming real estate market is just one glimpse into the consumer slowdown triggering deflation. Visual CapitalistInflation was a word before deflation wasThe word inflation has Latin roots and technically means an influx of air, first appearing in the English language in the 1890s to describe bike tires. Deflation's first known mention in an economic text was in 1919. BBCIn President Trump's first year of his second term, inflation fell from 3% year-over-year in January 2025 to 2.7% in DecemberWhile the price of eggs and bread went down over Trump's first year in office during his second term, coffee and beef prices rose. Utility bills and home insurance continued to surge, but mortgage rates, rent, and home prices began to stabilize in 2025. KiplingerCentral bank independence is correlated with lower inflation on averageExecutives may seek to influence the central bank to reduce interest rates for political points. Since its creation in the early 20th century, the US' Federal Reserve saw the most interactions from the president during the Nixon and Ford administrations. EconofactThe highest inflation in US history was estimated at 30% in 1778This was just after the Revolutionary War. Both World Wars also brought double-digit inflation. It's worth noting that exact inflation rates in early America are difficult to calculate precisely. In 2013 DollarsIs Domino’s pizza inflation-proof?A Big Mac Extra Value Meal is nearly $11 in 2025, compared to $4.59 in 1993. A Taco Bell crunchy taco costs $1.79 today, but was only 59 cents in 1990. Inflation impacts the price of many fast-food items—but the price of a Domino's pizza hasn't changed much at all in the past two decades. The HustleWedding cost increases have outpaced inflationThe cost of the average US wedding rose by 13.79% between 2023 and 2024, whereas the inflation rate during the same time period was roughly 2.9%. New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino’s book of essays “Trick Mirror” was a major hit when it was published in 2019, and this essay, “I Thee Dread,” is one of its standouts. Read the essay to learn more about the ins and outs of the wedding industrial complex at large. Random HousePrices can still feel high even if inflation is slowingThis is partly because a recent spike in inflation raised prices permanently, so even though the pace of price growth has slowed, prices have still gone up for good. USAFactsCDs come with risks, such as penalties for early withdrawal and inflationCDs are generally considered fairly safe investment options. A CD bought via a federally insured bank is insured up to $250K. Investor.govSeries I bonds are a form of government savings bonds created to shield your investments from inflationSpecifically, I bonds earn interest from both a fixed rate and an inflation rate. This article explains who might benefit from investing in I Bonds—for instance, people seeking to invest savings they do not need to access in the near future. EllevestFast-food prices have increased more over the past 10 years than both full-service restaurants and inflationApparently, according to experts on the subject, rising labor costs are to blame. Fast-food giants like McDonald's are now seeing the consequences in their underwhelming earnings reports. CNBCInflation explained in under 3 minutesKeep seeing inflation in the news, but don't have a great grasp on what it means or how it works? This overview from 1440 breaks down how economists think about inflation, what it means for the average consumer, and how governments attempt to keep rising prices in check through various policies. 1440Raising interest rates can help control inflationWhile controlling a complex and dynamic economy is difficult, interest rates—more specifically, the rate at which banks lend each other money overnight—are a powerful tool. Generally, raising the rate makes purchases more expensive and cools an overheated economy. The EconomistVenezuela is experiencing hyperinflationConsumer prices in the country have risen at a fairly quick rate since 1983, but a series of policy miscalculations, falling oil prices, and other factors have sparked extreme levels of inflation since 2017, with citizens losing faith in the value of the national currency. University of Notre DameDisinflation, a decrease in the rate of inflation, is different from deflationDisinflation happens when prices are still going up, just at a slower rate. Prolonged disinflation is also often accompanied by a recession, making it painful for consumers. Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisThe Federal Reserve targets 2% inflationIt’s an arbitrary number originating from an offhand comment made by a New Zealand policymaker. The real objective is to maintain predictable prices for businesses and families to plan around while avoiding the dangers of deflation. Council on Foreign RelationsUS inflation can generally be split into to two periods—before and after the Federal ReserveA central bank itself does not mean significant inflation will occur, but economists generally point to factors like two world wars and the printing of money to finance the US federal deficit as primary drivers of price increases. Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisInflation is a monetary phenomenon in which consumers see a broad rise in the prices of goods and services across the economy over timeSustained periods of inflation are often caused by central bank policies including low interest rates or increased money supply. With more money chasing the same number of goods and services, prices tend to rise and the value of a single dollar drops. McKinsey & CompanyUS cities where inflation is rising the mostWalletHub compared 22 major metropolitan areas to see how inflation has risen in the last year using the Consumer Price Index, which describes the average cost of a basket of goods. As of April 2024, Honolulu, Hawaii, clocked in with the greatest year-over-year change in prices, with inflation close to 5%. See the full list here. WalletHubAn updated, comprehensive tracker of global inflationThis tracker provides a visual narrative of inflation rates, central bank policies, consumer price breakouts, and more from nations across the globe. Financial Times'Floating rate' loans periodically adjust their interest rates in accordance with economic conditionsWhen the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 to combat inflation, interest payments borrowers owed to private credit lenders increased accordingly. Private credit funds benefited as loan returns increased, making the asset class attractive to investors at the time. InvestopediaThe Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal civil casesRatified in 1791, this amendment applies to cases where more than $20 is at stake—an amount that has never been adjusted for inflation. National Constitution CenterRead former Fed Chair Ben Bernanke's 2002 speech about preventing deflationVery low inflation rates in the early 2000s in the United States and a worsening recession in Japan sparked some domestic concern over the threat of deflation. While Bernanke wasn't Chair at the time of the speech, he emphasized the Fed's role in preventing deflation. Federal Reserve BoardThe Federal Reserve can set interest rates below zeroInterest rates, the cost of borrowing money, are the primary tool the Federal Reserve uses to control inflation. During periods of deflation, setting interest rates below zero penalizes saving, encourages banks to lend more and moves more cash through the economy. International Monetary FundPurchasing art is a common money laundering techniqueArt is easy to transport internationally, susceptible to price inflation, and usually paid for with cash, making it a frequently used money laundering tactic. Additionally, loose regulations surrounding art transactions allow buyers to remain anonymous, adding an additional layer of ease for people trying to launder money. Financial Crime AcademyAmid the aftermath of Watergate, Gerald Ford declared that the state of the Union was 'not good'In his first State of the Union in January 1975, President Ford departed from the usual optimism, bluntly acknowledging recession, inflation, and public distrust as the country worked to recover from Nixon's resignation and the Watergate scandal. C-SPANA rising number of Social Security beneficiaries are taxed on their Social Security incomeThat’s because while Social Security benefits increase with wages and inflation, the income limits for taxing those benefits stay the same and don’t adjust over time. Social Security beneficiaries have received cost-of-living adjustments almost every year since 1975Until 1975, Congress had to act each time Social Security benefits were increased. The 1970s saw particularly high inflation rates that eroded the purchasing power benefits, leading to the change. The most expensive ad of all time was for Chanel No. 5 perfumeThe video ad, starring actress Nicole Kidman, aired in 2004 and cost roughly $33M at the time (when accounting for inflation, that would be roughly $57M in 2026). You can watch the ad spot in full here. ChanelBullion is either gold or silver that has at least 99.5% or 99.9% purity, respectivelyIt’s typically kept in the form of bars or ingots. Governments and central banks often keep bullion reserves on hand; they can use it as a hedge against inflation. One can invest in bullion via ETFs, among other financial vehicles. InvestopediaToday, the rapper 50 Cent would be 109 CentWhile the rapper 50 Cent got his name decades ago, adjusted for inflation, 50 Cent would be 109 Cent as of 2025. FlowingDataOil shocks, war, and the 1970s crisis that remade American energy and economicsThe oil crises of the 1970s—fueled by Middle East conflict and OPEC’s dominance—triggered inflation, price controls, and policy failure. But they also accelerated fracking, alternative energy, and the rise of free-market economics. The Marginal Revolution PodcastSome FIRE followers abide by the 4% rule for portfolio withdrawalsMany FIRE proponents also abide by the 4% rule, which says that retirees can withdraw roughly 4% (adjusted for inflation) of their retirement portfolio each year. BankrateHousing prices have skyrocketed over the last 50 yearsAfter adjusting for inflation, housing costs have more than doubled since 1965. And based on average incomes, buyers are spending more than five times their income for a home versus buyers in 1965, who typically spent less than three times their income. CNBCCollege tuition has climbed 600% in 40 yearsThe cost of attending college has outpaced inflation in the US. Tuition has climbed more than 600% in the past 40 years; more than three times the inflation rate. Many students have racked up student loans to cover rising college costs, while others have chosen not to attend college altogether. MyeLearningWorldAre I-Bonds a good investment?I-Bonds are savings bonds issued by the US government that can help protect savings from inflation. While that sounds positive, I-Bonds have a few disadvantages, too—for instance, these bonds have to be held for at least a year before you can cash out. KiplingerMinting a coin that can pay off the federal debt has been proposed as a quick fix to rampant borrowingIt’s uncertain how financial markets would react to such a large cash injection. Some economists warn it could trigger massive inflation. Others say the nation needs a clean slate. MarketplaceMany bitcoin enthusiasts have compared the cryptocurrency to digital goldGold is valued for its stability and reliability, serving as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Bitcoin shares both of these characteristics, but also provides near-instant liquidity and isn’t subject to government regulation. MoneySome argue that the $2 bill could be more useful than the $1 billInflation has made purchasing items with just a $1 bill extremely rare. At a time when dollar stores are no longer true to their name, it seems that the $2 note may be the more practical small bill to keep on hand. This article advocates for the use of $2 bills, while detailing their history of being overlooked and the communities that swear by them. CNNThe federal minimum wage in the US has been $7.25 per hour since 2009While some argue that raising it is essential for reducing poverty, others fear it could lead to inflation and job cuts. The complexity deepens with states setting their own minimum wages—some even below the federal rate—leading to a patchwork of wage laws. 1440 Daily DigestAverage three-month CD rates reached a historical high of 18.65% in December 1980Comparatively, average three-month CD rates reached a low of 0.09% in June 2021 amid the economic turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. When inflation began to rise in 2022, the Fed began initiating rate hikes to incentivize saving. MarketWatchSee every time the minimum wage has been raisedUnlike some other nations, the US minimum wage isn’t tied to inflation. So instead of it automatically rising alongside the cost of living, Congress has to vote to raise the minimum wage every time they think it’s necessary. TIMEThe S&P 500 yields a roughly 10.5% average annual returnWhile the S&P 500 might yield (roughly) a 10.5% average annual return, the factors that go into that calculation are multifaceted—from how inflation impacts it, to the stocks themselves. SmartAssetView US solar energy industry trends and trajectories, tracked by SEIAThe Solar Energy Industries Association provides charts summarizing the state of solar energy in the US, including cumulative solar installations, solar jobs, photovoltaic pricing and deployment, and inflation and supply chain constraints within the market. Solar Energy Industries Association33% of Americans say they don’t know very much about what the Fed doesWhile most Americans grasp the central bank’s impact on curbing inflation, they don’t know that the Fed is tasked with what is called a “dual mandate” to provide price stability and maximum employment. Furthermore, few understand the Fed is independent—it does not answer to Congress or the US president. IpsosTrack how college tuition has changed over the years across different types of institutions The dramatic rise in the cost of higher education has a number of causes, ranging from increased number of students to administrative expansion at institutions. Even when accounting for inflation, the cost to pursue a degree has tripled over the past six decades. See data from the National Center for Education Statistics breaking out costs by institution type and year. U.S. Department of EducationIn the 1970s, the US experienced a period of stagflationIt was characterized by high inflation, slow economic growth, and high unemployment. The crisis was triggered by a combination of factors, including loose monetary policy that spurred excess demand and spiraling oil prices caused by an OPEC embargo in 1973. Philadelphia Federal ReserveWhat something costs is reflective of a balance in the market determined by the amount of demand relative to the supply of goods and servicesBecause economies are complex systems, a wide variety of issues influence this balance—including some things generally considered to be positive, like rising wages. InvestopediaYou can find the value of a dollar dating back to 1635The value of a dollar hasn’t been consistent throughout history. An inflation calculator lets you compare the value of dollars from any two years over the past four centuries. CPI Inflation Calculator
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