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  3. Journal of Economic Literature
  4. September 2002
  5. Modern Hyper- and High Inflations

Journal of Economic Literature

ISSN 0022-0515 (Print) | ISSN 2328-8175 (Online)

Modern Hyper- and High Inflations

  • Stanley Fischer
  • Ratna Sahay
  • Carlos A. Végh
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 40, no. 3, September 2002
(pp. 837–880)
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Abstract

Since 1947, hyperinflations in market economies have been rare. More common have been longer inflationary processes at rates above 100 percent per annum. This paper examines the main characteristics of such very high inflation episodes. We find that (i) almost 20 percent of countries have experienced such episodes; (ii) higher inflation is more unstable; (iii) in high-inflation countries, the relationship between the fiscal balance and seigniorage is strong; (iv) inflation inertia decreases as average inflation rises; (v) high inflation is associated with poor macroeconomic performance; and (vi) stabilizations that rely on the exchange rate as the nominal anchor are expansionary.

Citation

Fischer, Stanley, Ratna Sahay, and Carlos A. Végh. 2002. "Modern Hyper- and High Inflations." Journal of Economic Literature, 40 (3): 837–880. DOI: 10.1257/002205102760273805

JEL Classification

  • E31 Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
  • O11 Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development