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Different Types of Inflation

By Tejvan Pettinger on December 4, 2013 in inflation

Inflation means a sustained increase in the general price level. However, this increase in the cost
of living can be caused by different factors. The main two types of inflation are
1. Demand pull inflation this occurs when the economy grows quickly and starts to
overheat Aggregate demand (AD) will be increasing faster than aggregate supply
2. Cost push inflation this occurs when there is a rise in the price of raw materials, higher
taxes, e.t.c
1. Demand Pull Inflation
This occurs when AD increases at a faster rate than AS. Demand pull inflation will typically
occur when the economy is growing faster than the long run trend rate of growth. If demand
exceeds supply, firms will respond by pushing up prices.
Simple diagram showing demand pull inflation

The UK experienced demand pull inflation during the Lawson boom of the late 1980s. Fuelled
by rising house prices, high consumer confidence and tax cuts, the economy was growing by 5%
a year, but this caused supply bottlenecks and firms responded by increasing prices.

This graph shows inflation and economic growth in the UK during the 1980s. High growth in
1987, 1988 of 4-5% caused an increase in the inflation rate. It was only when the economy went
into recession in 1990 and 1991, that we saw a fall in the inflation rate.
2. Cost Push Inflation

This occurs when there is an increase in the cost of production for firms causing aggregate
supply to shift to the left. Cost push inflation could be caused by rising energy and commodity
prices. See: Cost Push inflation
Simple Diagram showing cost push inflation.

Example of Cost push inflation in the UK

In early 2008, the UK economy entered a deep recession(GDP fell 6%). However, at the same
time, we experienced a rise in inflation. This inflation was definitely not due to demand side
factors; it was due to cost push factors, such as rising oil prices, rising taxes and rising import

prices (as a result of depreciation in the Pound) By 2013, cost push factors had mostly
disappeared and inflation had fallen back to its target of 2%.
Sometimes cost push inflation is known as the wrong type of inflation because this inflation is
associated with falling living standards. It is hard for the Central Bank to deal with cost push
inflation because they face both inflation and falling output.
3. Wage Push Inflation
Rising wages tend to cause inflation. In effect this is a combination of demand pull and cost push
inflation. Rising wages increase cost for firms and so these are passed onto consumers in the
form of higher prices. Also rising wages give consumers greater disposable income and therefore
cause increased consumption and AD. In the 1970s, trades unions were powerful in the UK. This
helped cause rising nominal wages; this was a significant factor in causing inflation.
4. Imported Inflation.
A depreciation in the exchange rate will make imports more expensive. Therefore, the prices will
increase solely due to this exchange rate effect. A depreciation will also make exports more
competitive so will increase demand.
5. Temporary Factors.
The inflation rate can also increase due to temporary factors such as increasing indirect taxes. If
you increase VAT rate from 17.5% to 20%, all goods which are VAT applicable will be 2.5%
more expensive. However, this price rise will only last a year. It is not a permanent effect.
Core Inflation
One measure of inflation, is known as core inflation This is the inflation rate that excludes
temporary volatile factors, such as energy and food prices. The graph below shows inflation in
the EU. The headline inflation rate (HICP) is more volatile rising to 4% in 2008, and then falling
to -0.5% in 2009. However, the core inflation (HCIP energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) is
more constant.

Example of Inflation in UK

This shows that energy prices were very volatile in this period, contributing to cost push inflation
in 2008.
Different measures of inflation
There are different measures of inflation. RPI includes mortgage interest payments. In 2009,
interest rates were cut, therefore, RPI measure of inflation became negative. CPI excludes the
effect of mortgage interest payments. The ONS now produce a statistic CPIH, which is CPI
owner occupier costs.


Like most economic theories, supply-side economics tries to explain both macroeconomic
phenomena and - based on these explanations - offer policy prescriptions for stable economic
growth. In general, supply-side theory has three pillars: tax policy, regulatory policy and
monetary policy.
However, the single idea behind all three pillars is that production (i.e. the "supply" of goods and
services) is most important in determining economic growth. The supply-side theory is typically
held in stark contrast to Keynesian theory which, among other facets, includes the idea that
demand can falter, so if lagging consumer demand drags the economy into recession, the
government should intervene with fiscal and monetary stimuli.
This is the single big distinction: a pure Keynesian believes that consumers and their demand for
goods and services are key economic drivers, while a supply-sider believes that producers and
their willingness to create goods and services set the pace of economic growth.

3. DEFINITION of 'Laffer Curve'

collected by governments. The chart below shows the Laffer Curve:


everything they earned would go to the government.



4. DEFINITION of 'Monetary Policy'
