Demand-pull inflation

31 July 2019 by Tejvan Pettinger

Demand-pull inflation is a period of inflation which arises from rapid growth in
aggregate demand. It occurs when economic growth is too fast.

If aggregate demand (AD) rises faster than productive capacity (LRAS), then
firms will respond by putting up prices, creating inflation.

Inflation – a sustained increase in the price level.

Demand-pull inflation – inflation caused by AD increasing faster than AS.
Demand-pull inflation means:

 Excess demand and ‘too much money chasing too few goods.’
 The economy is at (or ver close to) full employment/full capacity.
 The economy will be growing at a rate faster than the long-run trend rate.
 A falling unemployment rate.
How demand-pull inflation occurs
If aggregate demand is rising at 4%, but productive capacity is only rising at
2.5%; firms will see demand outstripping supply. Therefore, they respond by
increasing prices.

Also, as firms produce more, they employ more workers, creating a rise in
employment and fall in unemployment. This increased demand for workers puts
upward pressure on wages, leading to wage-push inflation. Higher wages
increase the disposable income of workers leading to a rise in consumer
spending.

Economic growth and long-run trend rate

The long trend rate of economic is the sustainable rate of economic growth; it is
the rate of economic without any demand-pull inflation. If economic growth
exceeds this long-run trend rate, then it will cause inflationary pressures.

In a boom, growth is above the long-run trend rate, and it is in this situation
where we will get demand-pull inflation.

Causes of demand-pull inflation

 Lower interest rates. A cut in interest rates causes a rise in consumer
spending and higher investment. This boost to demand causes a rise in
AD and inflationary pressures.
 The rise in house prices. Rising house prices create a positive wealth
effect and boost consumer spending. This leads to a rise in economic
growth.
 Rising real wages. For example, unions bargaining for higher wage rates.
 Devaluation. Devaluation in the exchange rate increases domestic demand
(exports cheaper, imports more expensive). Devaluation will also cause
cost-push inflation (imports more expensive)
Demand pull inflation and Phillips Curve

Demand-pull inflation can also be shown on a Phillips Curve. A rise in demand

causes a fall in unemployment (from 6% to 3%) but an increase in inflation from
inflation of 2% to 5%.

Examples of demand pull inflation

From 1986, inflation increased to 1991. This was an example of demand-pull
inflation.

The inflation of the late 1970s was due primarily to cost-push factors (wages/oil
prices of 1970s)

UK 1980s-91
 Th
e quarterly growth rate in the UK.
During the late 1980s, the rate of economic growth in the UK rose to over 4%. 
The high rate of economic growth was caused by demand-side factors, such as:

 Rising house prices

 Cut in real interest rates
 Cut in income tax rates.
 Rise in consumer confidence
The rapid growth in demand saw inflationary pressures increase.

US late 1960s
US Inflation: St Louis Fed
Rapid economic growth in the mid-1960s, caused inflation to increase from 2% in
1966 to 6% by 1970.

Demand pull inflation and other types of inflation

Demand pull inflation could occur with:

 Cost-push inflation (rising costs of production). For example, in the early

1970s, economic growth and rising oil prices caused a spike in US inflation
of 12% by 1974.
 Built-in inflation. Inflation has its own momentum. High inflation in previous
years, makes future inflation more likely as firms put up prices in
anticipation of repeated inflation.
Decline of demand pull inflation
 So
urce: World Bank
In recent years, demand-pull inflation has become quite rare. The small rises in
inflation (2008/2001) were primarily due to cost-push factors. In recent decades,
we have not witnessed any significant demand-pull inflation. this is due to several
factors

 Independent Central Banks responsible for monetary policy and keeping

inflation to a target of 2%
 Secular stagnation. Lower rates of economic growth
 Downward pressure on prices from the global economy. Deflation of
manufactured goods in Asia.
 New technology leading to lower prices.