Hyperinflation

Very high rates of inflation

Nature

The effects of hyperinflation extend far beyond the economic field and affect all aspects of society. Over and above the economic consequences of daily devaluation (financial speculation, a chronic disease in productive investments and a systematic deterioration of real wages), constant inflation, with annual rates of three or even four digits, erodes a people's faith in their country, and gives rise to deep uncertainty about the future. This acute deterioration in confidence, along with a sense of uncertainty and scepticism create a phenomenon which is difficult to reverse and an environment where innovative alternatives capable of overcoming an inflationary crisis are almost impossible to generate.

Background

Hyperinflation first drew global attention during the Weimar Republic in the early 1920s, when spiraling prices devastated economies and societies. Subsequent episodes in Zimbabwe (2000s) and Venezuela (2010s) reinforced its recognition as a recurring, catastrophic phenomenon. Economists and policymakers increasingly scrutinized its triggers—often linked to political instability and fiscal mismanagement—prompting international efforts to monitor and mitigate such crises. Hyperinflation’s destructive impact on livelihoods and institutions remains a focal point in economic discourse.

Incidence

In recent years, countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru have been devastated psychologically and socially by a currency in which their users have little confidence. By one estimate prices increased in Brazil from 1989 to 1993 by 10 million percent, with the figure for 1993 estimated at 2,500%. In 1993 as a result of sanctions and the wider Yugoslav conflicts, Serbia experienced price doubling every week forcing the authorities to issue a 500 million dinar note which on release was worth approximately $7. In July 1993, the inflation rate in Serbia jumped 48% in one day (2% per hour). Some statistical experts estimated that if Serbian inflation rates continued in the same manner, they would amount to an annual increase of 1,000 million percent. Ten packets of cigarettes or 1kg of coffee was worth the average Serbian monthly salary in 1993. From June to July that year, bus fares rose 500%. Enormous inflation rates have forced conversion of the Serbian dinar into German marks, although the dinar remains the official currency. The average Serbian pension in 1993 was 3 German marks, which left many elderly people searching through trash cans and unable to buy even 1 kg of meat (£4). By July 1993, an estimated 97% of people in Serbia were living below the poverty level, while the remaining 3% were rich enough to take several vacations that year. A mid 1993 report found that inflation had increased in the Ukraine by 3,000% over the previous year. In 1992 Poland released a 2 million zloty note; in Zaire in 1993 a 5 million zaire note was issued. After World War II, Hungary issued notes with a face value of 1,000 million million million pengoes. In Ukraine in 1993 inflation was 100% per month.

Claim

Inflation might be easier, not harder, to stop once it has become hyperinflation. It can collapse all at once under its own weight. When economy hits rock-bottom, it is also more likely that the popular will to do something will appear.

2. In 1998 it was estimated that the total amount of money, owned by American citizens, circulating for investment in the world is about 16.7 trillion or 16,700,000,000,000 US dollars. In the year 1975 it was not more than about 40 billion or 40,000,000,000 US dollars. The increase in 23 years is thus more than 400 times.

Counter-claim

Hyperinflation is vastly overblown as a concern in today’s world. Modern economies have robust safeguards, and central banks are far more competent than in the past. The fear of runaway prices is mostly theoretical, distracting from real issues like inequality and unemployment. Worrying about hyperinflation is outdated and irrelevant—there are far more pressing economic challenges deserving our attention than this overhyped, unlikely scenario.