purchasing power

Purchasing power refers to the amount of products and services available for purchase with a certain currency unit. For example, if one spends a single unit of currency at a store to purchase products, then returns at a later date and spends a single unit of currency but is unable to purchase as many products as they had previously, the currency's purchasing power has decreased.

If one's income remains constant but prices rise, their purchasing power decreases. Inflation does not always result in decreased purchasing power, especially if income exceeds price levels. A larger real income means more purchasing power, as it corresponds to the income itself.