‘- Trends of inflation in Emerging economies in general–
– How that has led to changes in monetary policy
– The experience of South Africa with inflation and how that has shaped monetary policy
– Compare the experience of South Africa and other emerging economies
52nd Competition entries open on 22 February and will close on 30 June 2023.
Undergraduate
Discuss the inflation dynamics in emerging markets between 2017 and 2022 and the implications for the conduct of monetary policy with a particular focus on South Africa.
Introduction
– Definition of terms (Inflation and monetary policy)
– Why inflation matters
– Outline of the essay
Body of the Essay
– Trends of inflation in Emerging economies in general–
– How that has led to changes in monetary policy
– The experience of South Africa with inflation and how that has shaped monetary policy
– Compare the experience of South Africa and other emerging economies
Conclusion
– Based on your discussion, come up with a conclusion on the link between the changes on inflation and monetary policy
Essay to be properly referenced.
Please note
Postgraduate Category
• 1st Prize: R150 000
• 2nd Prize: R100 000
• 3rd Prize: R50 000
Undergraduate Category
• 1st Prize: R60 000
• 2nd Prize: R40 000
• 3rd Prize: R20 000
https://budgetspeechcompetition.co.za/prizes/ Link to access resources.
Introduction
Inflation and monetary policy are two closely related terms in the world of economics. Inflation refers to the general increase in the prices of goods and services over time. Monetary policy, on the other hand, is the process by which a central bank or monetary authority manages the supply and demand of money in an economy to achieve specific goals, such as controlling inflation, stabilizing the economy, and promoting economic growth.
Inflation matters because it affects the purchasing power of money, and therefore the value of savings, investments, and wages. It also affects the cost of borrowing and lending, and can lead to distortions in resource allocation and economic growth. In this essay, we will discuss the trends of inflation in emerging economies between 2017 and 2022, with a particular focus on South Africa. We will also explore how these trends have led to changes in monetary policy, and compare the experiences of South Africa and other emerging economies.
Trends of inflation in Emerging economies in general
Between 2017 and 2022, emerging economies have experienced a wide range of inflation rates, depending on their specific economic conditions and policy responses. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the average inflation rate for emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) was 3.6% in 2017, 3.9% in 2018, 4.6% in 2019, and 5.7% in 2020, before moderating to 5.1% in 2021 and a projected 4.6% in 2022. These rates are higher than those of advanced economies, which averaged 1.7% in 2017, 1.9% in 2018, 1.8% in 2019, and 1.3% in 2020, before rising to 2.3% in 2021 and a projected 2.4% in 2022.
The main drivers of inflation in emerging economies have been a combination of supply-side factors, such as food and energy prices, exchange rate depreciation, and trade disruptions, and demand-side factors, such as fiscal and monetary stimulus, strong domestic demand, and supply bottlenecks. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on inflation dynamics, by disrupting global supply chains, reducing mobility, and increasing uncertainty.
How that has led to changes in monetary policy
The trends of inflation in emerging economies have led to changes in monetary policy, as central banks and monetary authorities try to balance the trade-off between controlling inflation and supporting economic growth. In general, central banks in emerging economies have been more cautious than their counterparts in advanced economies, given the higher levels of inflation and currency volatility. They have also faced greater challenges in communicating their policy decisions to markets and the public, due to weaker institutions, lower credibility, and political interference.
The most common monetary policy response to inflation in emerging economies has been to raise interest rates, in order to curb inflation expectations, stabilize the currency, and attract foreign capital. However, this has often come at the cost of slowing down economic growth, increasing debt servicing costs, and exacerbating inequality. Some central banks have also used other tools, such as reserve requirements, open market operations, and macroprudential measures, to manage liquidity and credit risk.
The experience of South Africa with inflation and how that has shaped monetary policy
South Africa is a good case study of the link between inflation and monetary policy in an emerging economy. Between 2017 and 2022, South Africa experienced an average inflation rate of 5.2%, which was higher than its target range of 3-6%. The main drivers of inflation were food and fuel prices, electricity tariffs, and exchange rate depreciation, as well
