Inflation and Unemployment
1. Relating Inflation and Unemployment
Try It
Suppose an economy has experienced the rates of inflation and of unemployment shown below. Plot these data graphically in a grid with the inflation rate on the vertical axis and the unemployment rate on the horizontal axis. Identify the periods during which the economy experienced each of the three phases of the inflation-unemployment cycle identified in the text.
| Period | Unemployment Rate (%) | Inflation Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.5 | 6.3 |
| 2 | 2.6 | 5.9 |
| 3 | 2.8 | 4.8 |
| 4 | 4.7 | 4.1 |
| 5 | 4.9 | 5.0 |
| 6 | 5.0 | 6.1 |
| 7 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| 8 | 4.0 | 5.1 |