How to Calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Rate

Economics in Many Lessons2 minutes read

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the cost of goods bought by urban residents to calculate inflation, comparing the total cost of a fixed basket of goods over multiple years. This formula resulted in an annual inflation rate of 13.2% in 2017 and 10.25% in 2018 by comparing the CPI of each year to the previous year.

Insights

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the cost of goods bought by urban residents, helping to calculate inflation by tracking average price increases in the economy.
  • Inflation rates are determined by comparing CPI values between consecutive years, with 13.2% inflation in 2017 and 10.25% in 2018, showcasing significant price fluctuations over time.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

    A measure of overall cost of goods bought.

  • How is the CPI calculated?

    By determining total cost of fixed goods basket.

  • What does the annual inflation rate indicate?

    Reflects the percentage increase in average prices.

  • How is the annual inflation rate calculated?

    Using the formula: (CPI current year - CPI previous year) / CPI previous year.

  • Why is the CPI important for economic analysis?

    Provides insights into cost of living changes and inflation trends.

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Summary

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Understanding Consumer Price Index and Inflation Rates

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the overall cost of goods bought by urban residents, used to calculate inflation, which is the increase in average prices in the economy.
  • To calculate the CPI, determine the total cost of a fixed basket of goods in the base year (2016), using the same quantities each year but adjusting for changing prices in subsequent years (2017 and 2018).
  • The annual inflation rate is found by comparing the CPI of the current year to the previous year, with the formula: (CPI current year - CPI previous year) / CPI previous year, resulting in 13.2% inflation in 2017 and 10.25% in 2018.
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