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Economy and Finance

Economy and Finance

Should India shift from Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to Producer Price Index (PPI)?

13 Dec 2023 Zinkpot 188
  1. India is planning to move from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to the Producer Price Index (PPI) in the future as most of the G20 countries follow this practice.
  2.  What is the Wholesale Price Index (WPI)? It is a measure of the change in the price of goods at the wholesale stage, i.e., goods that are sold in bulk and traded between organizations instead of consumers. 
  3. What is the Producer Price Index (PPI)? It measures the average change in prices received by the producer for goods and services, including services, and excludes indirect taxes.
  4. The PPI is based on the prices received by the producer, while the WPI is based on the prices at the first commercial transaction of goods. 
  5. Is it beneficial for an economy to move from WPI to PPI? Shifting to the Producer Price Index (PPI) from the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) can have several benefits to an economy: 
    • Better Inflation Measurement: PPI is considered a better measure of inflation as it reflects the prices received by producers, while WPI focuses on the prices at the wholesale level. PPI can be a useful leading indicator of inflation, as price increases for producers are often passed on to consumers.
    • Services Coverage: Unlike WPI, which does not cover services, PPI includes services, providing a more comprehensive view of the economy. This is particularly important as many economies have a significant services sector.
    • More Accurate Price Measurement: PPI removes the multiple counting bias inherent in WPI and is derived from weights based on net traded value, making it a more accurate measure of price changes.
    • Input Costs and Inflation: PPI allows for a better understanding of the costs faced by producers and the potential impact on final consumer prices, which can help inform policy decisions and investment strategies.
    • Inflation Adjustment: PPI can be used to adjust economic time series for price changes, providing a more accurate picture of the economy's performance.
    • Economic Policy Formulation: PPI provides valuable insights into inflation trends, which can be used by policymakers to formulate more effective economic policies.
  6. In summary, shifting to PPI from WPI can provide a more accurate and comprehensive view of inflation and price changes, helping economies make better-informed policy decisions and investment strategies.
     

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