IMF Working Papers

Moderate Inflation in Poland: A Real Story

By Thierry Pujol, Mark E Griffiths

June 1, 1996

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Thierry Pujol, and Mark E Griffiths. Moderate Inflation in Poland: A Real Story, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 1996) accessed September 20, 2024
Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

Why is moving from moderate to low inflation almost always slow or costly? This paper answers this question, based on the Polish experience. First, reflecting the transition to a market economy, Polish inflation has been marked by significant changes in relative prices. Second, as wage and price indexation takes root, the inflationary effect of shocks to relative prices is magnified. Third, lagging structural reform, including the failure to extend hard budget constraints to all sectors of the economy, makes monetary policy less effective. Reduced money supply growth with structural reform offers the best prospect for moving to low inflation.

Subject: Consumer price indexes, Exchange rates, Foreign exchange, Inflation, Monetary policy, Monetary tightening, Price adjustments, Prices

Keywords: Broad money, Consumer price, Consumer price indexes, Cost of living index, Eastern Europe, Exchange rate, Exchange rates, Inflation, Inflation rate, Loss-making firm, Marginal product of labor, Monetary policy, Monetary tightening, Price adjustments, Price level, Restructuring process, Utility company, WP

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    44

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 1996/057

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA0571996

  • ISBN:

    9781451967432

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941