SUPPORTING AN INFLATION TARGETING POLICY WITH THE MEASUREMENT OF INFLATION CREDIBILITY

Inflation targeting anchors inflation expectations, which are not within the sphere of control of the authorities, but can only be influenced over time by consistent policy. As public distrust of inflation figures will feed through to inflation expectations, this paper highlights pilot studies measuring the credibility of inflation in terms of an inflation credibility barometer. Despite initial discouraging results, the conclusion is that knowledge and information improve the credibility of inflation, but only one inflation rate (ideally the one used for inflation targeting purposes) should be communicated. Moreover, the rate used for targeting purposes should be specified with ease of communication in mind. Copyright 2005 Economic Society of South Africa.