Inflation has had a real impact on society as a whole, and its effects are often devastating.
The most obvious consequence of inflation is an increase in cost of living, as prices for goods and services rise in tandem with the rate of inflation.
This means that the amount of money available for households to spend can often decrease substantially, limiting the ability of households to purchase necessities or other items, whether they be items of leisure, hobbies or even education.
This can also place a limit on the availability of resources to businesses, as the amount of money they can spend on new projects or purchases, such as raw materials, machinery or marketing, is reduced.
Inflation is also a factor in unemployment levels, as a rise in the cost of living can mean that businesses may not be able to afford wages that match the cost of living.
This could result in businesses reducing staff numbers or current staff receiving reductions in wages to offset the rise in inflation.
This, in turn, can lead to a reduced number of jobs available, further contributing to economic downturns as fewer people are employed.
It is not just the workforce and businesses that can be affected, however, as inflation can have a detrimental effect on government, too.
Because the rate of inflation is a factor taken into account when deciding on government spending and taxation, it has a direct impact on the amount that the government needs to take in taxes and spend annually.
As inflation rises, costs associated with state services such as health care and education, can also rise accordingly.
This can mean increased taxes, or alternatively, a reduction in the quality and availability of services available from the government.
Overall, it is clear that inflation has a ripple effect, adversely affecting all aspects of society, and causing the levels of unemployment, poverty and even crime to rise.
It is therefore important for policy makers to ensure that inflation is kept at bay, both through understanding the causes of inflation and implementing effective measures to reduce it.