The Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, was at 4% in May, the lowest rate of inflation since March of 2021, when prices started to rise. By comparison, the inflation rate was 8.6% in May, 2022.

Even though prices are stabilizing, they’re still higher than two years ago.

Other key sectors of the economy like unemployment is are doing well but consumers often judge the economy’s health on prices they’re paying and as a result, most polls show American consumers aren’t optimistic.

Two years later, there’s still disagreement on what caused the rising prices in the first place.

Bucknell University Professor of Economics Matias Vernengo on The SparkWednesday blames the rearrangement of supply chains for inflating prices -- something he says that started well before the pandemic in the U.S. but intensified by COVID restrictions in China.

The Consumer Price Index, which measures inflation, was at 4% in May, the lowest rate of inflation since March of 2021, when prices started to rise. By comparison, the inflation rate was 8.6% in May, 2022.
Even though prices are stabilizing, they’re still higher than two years ago.
Other key sectors of the economy like unemployment is are doing well but consumers often judge the economy’s health on prices they’re paying and as a result, most polls show American consumers aren’t optimistic.
Two years later, there’s still disagreement on what caused the rising prices in the first place.
Bucknell University Professor of Economics Matias Vernengo on The Spark Wednesday blames the rearrangement of supply chains for inflating prices -- something he says that started well before the pandemic in the U.S. but intensified by COVID restrictions in China.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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