Advantages And Disadvantages Of Deflation

Positive Impacts, Benefits Or Advantages Of Deflation

The main advantages of deflation can be expressed as follows:

1. Increase In Purchasing Power

Negative inflation or deflation increases the value of money. So, purchasing power increases and price of goods and services decreases.

2. Lower Monthly Budget

As we know that deflation causes fall in the price of commodities, so people can satisfy their needs by spending less amount of money. So, it reduces the monthly budget which benefits middle and lower level consumers.

3. Increase In Saving

Due to fall in price of goods and less spending of money, people's saving will be increased at the period of deflation.

4. Higher Living Standard

Deflation helps to maintain better living standard because of lower expenditure and increase in saving.

5. Beneficial For Creditors

Deflation increases the real value of existing debt. So, creditors are benefited in this situation.

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6. Lower Business Costs

Deflation lowers the cost of business because of  decrease in the price of raw materials, machinery, technology and fixed assets. So, this period is appropriate for long-term investment.

Negative Impacts, Drawbacks Or Disadvantages Of Deflation

The major disadvantages of deflation can be described as follows:

1. Lower Consumer Spending

People may stop spending on luxurious and expensive products with the expectation of more decrease in price in the future. So deflation may encourage lower consumer spending which is not good for the economy.

2. Loss For Investors

At the time of deflation, investors and producers who hold large quantity of inventory suffer because of the decrease in the value of stock.

3. Increase Value Of Debt

As we know that deflation increases the value of debt, it makes difficult for the existing debtors to repay their loan.
advantages disadvantages of deflation
4. Possibility Of Unemployment

Business profit decreases because of decrease in the price which force the producers to stop production or reduce their production capacity. It may create unemployment problem.

5. Lower Economic Growth

Limited production, less consumer spending, increased value of debt and unemployment lead to lower economic growth and instability in the country.

Pros And Cons Of Deflation In Short

Pros:
- It lowers the monthly budget of because of decrease in the price of goods and services
- It helps to improve living standard of because of improved purchasing power
- It is beneficial for creditors because banks reduce the interest rate
- Suitable period for investment

Cons:
- It may lead to lower consumer spending
- It may create unemployment problem
- It negatively affect economic growth of the country
- It increases the real value of debt