Current:Home > MarketsHow 2% became the target for inflation -SummitInvest
How 2% became the target for inflation
View
Date:2025-04-12 22:46:24
If the Fed had a mantra to go along with its mandate, it might well be "two percent." That number, the Fed's longtime inflation target, has been adopted by many other central banks around the world. Jerome Powell said it 17 times in a press conference last week. It's become almost synonymous with smooth, healthy economic growth.
But how did two percent become the Fed's target? For an organization staffed with mathematicians and economists, the answer is surprisingly unsophisticated. Join us to hear about the history behind the number, and why some economists are calling for a change.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter.
Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PocketCasts and NPR One.
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
veryGood! (684)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- COVID hospitalizations on the rise as U.S. enters Labor Day weekend
- LGBTQ pride group excluded from southwest Iowa town’s Labor Day parade
- Coach Steve: Lessons to learn after suffering a concussion
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- 1st Africa Climate Summit opens as hard-hit continent of 1.3 billion demands more say and financing
- What is melanin? It determines your eye, hair color and more.
- Divorce Is Not an Option: How Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Built an Enduring Marriage
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- From Ariana Grande to Britney Spears, Pour One Out for the Celebrities Who Had Breakups This Summer
Ranking
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Four astronauts return to Earth in SpaceX capsule to wrap up six-month station mission
- Rewriting colonial history: DNA from Delaware graves tells unexpected story of pioneer life
- No. 8 Florida State dominant in second half, routs No. 5 LSU
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- St. Jude's arm is going on tour: Catholic church announces relic's first-ever tour of US
- New FBI-validated Lahaina wildfire missing list has 385 names
- Police: 5 killed, 3 others hurt in Labor Day crash on interstate northeast of Atlanta
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
What to stream this week: Olivia Rodrigo, LaKeith Stanfield, NBA 2K14 and ‘The Little Mermaid’
Iga Swiatek’s US Open title defense ends with loss to Jelena Ostapenko in fourth round
South Korea’s Yoon to call for strong international response to North’s nukes at ASEAN, G20 summits
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Alabama drops sales tax on groceries to 3%
Prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables help boost heart health
Metallica reschedules Arizona concert: 'COVID has caught up' with singer James Hetfield