purchasing power parity


Purchasing power parity

The notion that the ratio between domestic and foreign price levels should equal the equilibrium exchange rate between domestic and foreign currencies.

Purchasing Power Parity

The theory stating that, in an efficient market, the exchange rate of two currencies results in equal purchasing power. That is, if one pound is worth two dollars, one pound in England should buy the same amount in goods and services that two dollars can buy in the United States. Fixed exchange rates, taxes, and other inefficiencies are thought to disrupt purchasing power parity. Some theorists believe the idea holds most true when comparing countries or regions with similar standards of living.

purchasing power parity

the tendency for the EXCHANGE RATE between the currencies of two countries to reflect long-term differences in the INFLATION rates of these countries under a FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM. Thus, for example, if the inflation rate in country A were 10% per annum and that of country B 6% per annum, then in order to maintain parity between the PURCHASING POWER of the two currencies, country A's currency would have to depreciate by 4% against country B's currency.