definition inflation
In economics, inflation is a sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time.When the price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services.Consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power per unit of money â a loss of real value in the medium of exchange and unit of account within the economy. Inflation reduces unemployment to the extent that unemployment is caused by nominal wage rigidity. 2  When demand for labor falls but nominal wages do not, as typically occurs during a recession, the supply and demand for labor cannot reach equilibrium, and unemployment results.