Inflation vs Interest Rate

The interest rate affects inflation, and both are closely related. They are generally referred to together in macroeconomics. This article looks at the differences between Interest Rates and Inflation.

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises. As for price increase, this leads to a fall in the currency's purchasing power. It is necessary to keep the inflation rate within permissible limits for the smooth functioning of an economy.

Let us understand inflation with an example- Suppose in 1990 a man buys petrol daily of INR 100 for his car and the price of one liter was INR 40, in INR 100 he gets 2.5 Liters of petrol. If he buys petrol of INR 100 considering the current rate of petrol INR 90 per liter, he will get 1.1 L of petrol. Although INR 100 remains the same, its purchasing power decreased 28 years earlier, and he gets 2.5L petrol at the same price as today's 1.1L of petrol. It is called inflation.

The interest rate is when the lender is lending funds to the borrower. The interest rate strongly impacts the country's economy and has a major impact on stock and other investments.

The interest rate is decided by considering two factors.

• Capital availability - Capital is costly if a rate of interest is high.
• If the interest rate is low, bank customers will not get sufficient return on their funds, demotivating customers to keep the amount in the bank. As a result, the bank will not have funds.

If money is cheap, people will get the motivation to get money in the market and as a result, the value of money will decrease. It will increase inflation.

The rates of interest for loans and deposits are different. The interest rate for loans is high, whereas deposits are comparatively less. The interest rate is a price for holding or loaning money, i.e., the price for depositing or borrowing money.

It’s important to know about the Quantity Theory of Money to understand the relationship between these rates better.

• Quantity Theory of Money determines that supply and demand for money determine inflation. If the money supply increases, as a result, inflation increases, and if money supply decreases lead to a decrease in inflation.
• This principle is applied to study the relationship between inflation vs. interest rate. When the interest rate is high, the supply for money is less, and hence inflation decreases, which means supply is decreased. In contrast, when the interest rate is decreased or low, the supply of money will be more, and as a result, inflation increases, which means that demand is increased.
•  To control high inflation, the central bank increases the interest rate. When the interest rate increases, the cost of borrowing rises. It makes borrowing expensive. Hence, borrowing will decrease, and the money supply will fall. A fall in the money supply in the market will lead to a decrease in money with people to expensive goods and services. With the supply constant, the demand for goods and services will decrease, which leads to falling in the price of goods and services.
•  In a low inflationary situation, the rate of interest reduces. A decrease in the rate of interest will make borrowing cheaper. Hence, borrowing will increase, and the money supply will increase. With a rise in the money supply, people will have more money to spend on goods and services. So, the demand for goods and services will increase, and with supply remaining constant, this leads to a rise in the price level, which is inflation.

Hence,  they are inversely related and have their impact. As described above, if an interest rate is high, then inflation and money circulation in a market will be below. Conversely, if an interest rate is less, then money circulation will be high in a market, increasing inflation.

Through this, we can say that the inflation and interest rate are dependent on each other, and the relation between them is an inverse relationship where one increases and the other decreases and vice versa.

Inflation affects the price of goods and services. These prices are very important for the customer and the seller as they want secure inflation where prices are stable, or if in case it increases, it should increase gradually. The purchasing power of their currency should not affect. Price stability is very much needed for a healthy economy. Considering this interest rate is decided. To control inflation, interest rates needed to change after a regular interval to maintain a healthy economy. Inflation vs. Interest rate has a vital role in a market. It helps the investor calculate how much return his investment needs to Inflation affects the price of goods and services. These prices are very important for the customer and the seller as they want secure inflation where prices are stable, or if in case it increases, it should increase gradually. The purchasing power of their currency should not affect. Price stability is very much needed for a healthy economy. Considering this interest rate is decided. To control inflation, interest rates needed to change after a regular interval to maintain a healthy economy. Inflation vs. Interest rate has a vital role in a market. It helps the investor calculate how much return his investment needs to maintain his standard of living, and the investor invests in a product that gives a return more than inflation.

This has been a guide to Inflation vs. Interest rate. Here we also discuss the relationship between inflation and interest rates with infographics and a comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles –

• Expansionary Monetary Policy Objectives
• What is Contractionary Monetary Policy?
• Economic Growth vs Economic Development
• CRR vs SLR Differences