The Cost of Inflation: Sustaining 2015 Consumption in 2023

Abstract

Sri Lanka's is set to experience a 160% increase in nominal GDP from the 2015 levels of LKR 11.6 trillion as projected nominal GDP for 2023 estimated at LKR 30.3 trillion. However, while the real GDP in 2023 remains relatively unchanged from the 2015 levels, the doubling of nominal GDP highlights the need for a corresponding increase in incomes to maintain the same level of consumption as in 2015. In essence, this means that incomes must grow by 160%, in order to maintain the same level of consumption one did in 2015.