Current:Home > NewsHow 2% became the target for inflation -Dynamic Money Growth
How 2% became the target for inflation
View
Date:2025-04-12 16:22:35
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! (26)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Trump's 'stop
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says