Factors considered when constructing price index ?
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Mar 28
1. Selection of goods and services: The first step in constructing a price index is to select a representative basket of goods and services that are commonly consumed by the population. This basket should reflect the spending patterns of the target population.
2. Weighting of goods and services: Once the basket of goods and services has been selected, each item in the basket needs to be assigned a weight based on its importance in the overall consumption of the population. This weighting reflects the relative importance of each item in the basket.
3. Data collection: Price data for the selected goods and services need to be collected on a regular basis. This can be done through surveys, price monitoring programs, or other data collection methods.
4. Price calculation: The prices of the selected goods and services are then used to calculate the price index. This is typically done by taking the weighted average of the price changes for each item in the basket.
5. Base year selection: A base year is chosen as a reference point for the price index. The prices of goods and services in the base year are set to 100, and all subsequent price changes are calculated relative to this base year.
6. Index calculation: The price index is calculated by comparing the current prices of the basket of goods and services to the prices in the base year. This calculation is typically done using a formula such as the Laspeyres index or the Paasche index.
7. Quality adjustments: In some cases, adjustments may need to be made to account for changes in the quality of goods and services over time. This is particularly important for items such as electronics or vehicles, where improvements in technology can lead to changes in quality.
8. Seasonal adjustments: Some goods and services may exhibit seasonal price fluctuations, such as seasonal produce or holiday-related items. Seasonal adjustments may be necessary to account for these fluctuations and provide a more accurate representation of overall price changes.
9. Publication and interpretation: Once the price index has been calculated, it is typically published and made available to the public. Economists, policymakers, and businesses use price indices to monitor inflation, make pricing decisions, and assess changes in purchasing power.