The general increase in prices of goods and services is called inflation. Inflation is typically measured as the percentage increase in the average price level of a basket of goods and services over a period of time, such as a year. Inflation can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an increase in the money supply, a decrease in the supply of goods and services, or an increase in demand for goods and services. High or unpredictable inflation can have negative effects on an economy, such as reducing the purchasing power of consumers and businesses, and making it more difficult to plan and invest for the future.