The term NAIRU, which stands for the Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment, refers to a specific level of unemployment that exists in an economy that does not cause inflation to increase. Essentially, it represents the point at which the labor market is in equilibrium, meaning that any unemployment below this rate would lead to upward pressure on wages and consequently on inflation. Conversely, when unemployment is above the NAIRU, inflation tends to decrease or stabilize. This concept highlights the trade-off between unemployment and inflation within the framework of the Phillips Curve, which illustrates the inverse relationship between these two variables. Policymakers often use the NAIRU as a benchmark for making decisions regarding monetary and fiscal policies to maintain economic stability.
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