Inflation reduces purchasing power over time. $100 today buys less than $100 did 20 years ago. Calculate real value changes.
Hyperinflation occurs when prices rise by more than 50% per month. Here are the most extreme cases in modern history:
| Country | Year | Peak Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 1946 | 4.19 × 10¹⁶% |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | 2008 | 79.6 × 10⁹% |
| 🇾🇺 Yugoslavia | 1994 | 313 × 10⁶% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany (Weimar Republic) | 1923 | 29,500% |
| 🇻🇪 Venezuela | 2018 | 1,698,488% |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | 1990 | 20,266% |
💵 The Trillion Dollar Banknote
Zimbabwe printed a 100 trillion dollar banknote in 2009. It was worth about $40 USD at the time, and today it's more valuable as a collector's item than its face value ever was.
📜 Wheelbarrows of Cash
During Germany's hyperinflation in 1923, people used wheelbarrows to carry money to buy bread. Workers were paid twice a day so they could spend their wages before they lost value.
🏦 Inflation Targeting
Most modern central banks target 2% annual inflation. This rate is considered optimal for encouraging spending and investment while maintaining price stability.
🎯 The Pizza Index
Economists use the "Pizza Index" to track inflation. In the US, a slice of pizza has historically cost about the same as a subway fare, making it an easy reference point for inflation.
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