什么是通货紧缩？哪些国家正在经历通货紧缩？

Deflation is a decrease in the general price level of goods and services. It occurs when the inflation rate falls below 0%. Inflation reduces the value of currency over time, but sudden deflation increases it. This allows more goods and services to be bought than before with the same amount of currency. Deflation is distinct from disinflation, a slow-down in the inflation rate, i.e. when inflation declines to a lower rate but is still positive.

通货紧缩是商品和服务总体价格水平的下降。当通货膨胀率低于 0% 时，就会发生这种情况。通货膨胀会随着时间的推移降低货币价值，但突然的通货紧缩会增加货币价值。这允许用相同数量的货币购买比以前更多的商品和服务。通货紧缩不同于通货紧缩，即通货膨胀率放缓，即当通货膨胀率下降到较低水平但仍为正时。

Some countries that are experiencing deflation include:

一些正在经历通货紧缩的国家包括：

Japan 日本

Venezuela 委内瑞拉

Argentina 阿根廷

Lebanon 黎巴嫩

Turkey 土耳其

Deflation can be caused by a number of factors, including:

通货紧缩可能由多种因素引起，包括：

A decrease in aggregate demand. This can happen when there is a recession or a financial crisis. When people are spending less, businesses have less incentive to produce goods and services, which leads to lower prices.

总需求减少。当出现经济衰退或金融危机时，可能会发生这种情况。当人们减少支出时，企业生产商品和服务的动力就会减少，从而导致价格下降。

An increase in aggregate supply. This can happen when there is a technological breakthrough that makes it cheaper to produce goods and services. When costs go down, businesses can lower their prices without losing money.

总供应增加。当技术突破使商品和服务的生产成本更低时，就会发生这种情况。当成本下降时，企业可以在不赔钱的情况下降低价格。

A decrease in the money supply. This can happen when a central bank raises interest rates or sells government bonds. When there is less money in circulation, prices tend to go down.

货币供应量减少。当中央银行提高利率或出售政府债券时，就会发生这种情况。当流通中的货币减少时，价格往往会下降。

Deflation can have a number of negative consequences, including:

通货紧缩可能产生许多负面后果，包括：

Reduced economic growth. When prices are falling, people tend to delay spending, which can lead to a decrease in demand and a decrease in production.

经济增长放缓。当价格下跌时，人们倾向于推迟支出，这可能导致需求减少和产量下降。

Increased unemployment. When businesses are producing less, they need fewer workers. This can lead to an increase in unemployment.

失业率上升。当企业产量减少时，他们需要的工人就会减少。这可能导致失业率上升。

Increased debt burden. When prices are falling, the real value of debt increases. This can make it more difficult for people to repay their debts, which can lead to financial problems.

债务负担增加。当价格下跌时，债务的实际价值就会增加。这可能会使人们更难偿还债务，从而导致财务问题。

Governments and central banks typically try to avoid deflation. They do this by increasing the money supply, lowering interest rates, and stimulating the economy.

政府和中央银行通常会试图避免通货紧缩。他们通过增加货币供应量、降低利率和刺激经济来做到这一点。