Hide Search Search CBC Kids News SEARCH CBC Kids News Hot Topics Topics Settings MODE Hot Topics Light mode Polls Sports Celebrities Canada-U.S. news Kids React Social Media Animals Space KID POVS Gaming KN Explains Extreme Nature Search Light mode WATCH — What is inflation? Here's why things get more expensive Published 2025-05-27 06:00 Video by Maya Endale CBC Kids News Contributor Angelica Cooper Associate Producer Three main factors affect how much prices rise Every month, CBC Kids News takes a deep dive into a topic that's been making headlines. Click the video above or below for this month's KN Explains. Ever hear your grandpa brag about how cheap candy used to be when he was a kid? That's because prices increase over time. We measure that increase through something called the inflation rate, which tells us how much the cost of goods and services goes up. On May 20, Canadians got their monthly update on the inflation rate. The Bank of Canada announced that April's rate was 1.7 per cent. That means in April 2025, things cost 1.7 per cent more, on average, than they did in April 2024. This is within economists' target range for healthy inflation. But overall, inflation has gone up a lot in the past 10 years — especially with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting businesses and leading consumers to make fewer purchases. In June 2022, inflation in Canada rose to a high of 8.1 per cent, the highest it's been in more than 30 years. When prices rise that much in a short period of time, it gets harder for a lot of people to keep up. Kids have told us that these days, it can be tough to afford essentials. There are three main factors that usually contribute to inflation. Watch the video to learn more about them. There's a sweet spot for inflation, say experts Chocolate isn't the only sweet thing we're talking about. Experts told us there's kind of a sweet spot when it comes to the inflation rate. You don't want it to be too low or too high. Ideally, we'll see a subtle and sustained increase every year. Right now, that sweet spot is between one and three per cent each year. Experts told us it's also important for Canadians' wages — how much we earn — to keep up with inflation. There's a lot to unwrap here, chocolate and inflation-wise. So let's get snacking and learning! Press play to see Maya use the cost of a chocolate bar to explain inflation.⬇️⬇️⬇️ Have Your Say This month's question is all about how you manage your money, spending or saving. Share your experiences and opinions in the form below. Loading… You can read the answer to last month's question here: What is something that you learned about MMIWG2S+ on Red Dress Day? Have more questions? Want to tell us how we're doing? Use the 'send us feedback' link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️ TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Bank of Canada, with graphic design by Philip Street. VIDEO CREDITS: Host, Maya Endale; Senior Producer, Lisa Fender; Creative Producer, Marielle Torrefranca; Video Producer: Jamie McMahon; Associate Producer, Angelica Cooper; Editor, Emily Queripel; Graphic Designer: Philip Street; Copy Editor: Janet Davison. Send us feedback Report a typo or inaccuracy Print Story Share to Google Classroom About the Contributor Maya Endale CBC Kids News Contributor Maya Endale is a Grade 11 student from Edmonton, Alberta. She is an avid reader who's passionate about learning new skills and gaining knowledge. Was this story worth reading? More Stories You Might Like 2025-05-15 16:58 Millions of dimes spill onto Texas highway after truck rolls over 2025-05-15 16:58 Millions of dimes spill onto Texas highway after truck rolls over 2025-05-15 16:58 Millions of dimes spill onto Texas highway after truck rolls over 2025-04-22 16:02 I'm a teenager, and this election, I care about how expensive life is for youth 2025-04-22 16:02 I'm a teenager, and this election, I care about how expensive life is for youth 2025-04-22 16:02 I'm a teenager, and this election, I care about how expensive life is for youth 2025-02-14 15:55 WATCH — The mysterious history of Valentine's Day 2025-02-14 15:55 WATCH — The mysterious history of Valentine's Day 2025-02-14 15:55 WATCH — The mysterious history of Valentine's Day CBC Kids News Real kids, real news Privacy Terms of Use Copyright Policy Other Policies Contact Us Accessibility About Us About Cookies Feedback Form © 2025 CBC Kids News BACK TO TOP close this modal You are now leaving the CBC Kids News Website. Cancel Submit Cancel Submit close this modal

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5 days ago

WATCH — What is inflation? Here's why things get more expensive
Published 2025-05-27 06:00
Video by Maya Endale
CBC Kids News Contributor
Angelica Cooper
Associate Producer
Three main factors affect how much prices rise
Every month, CBC Kids News takes a deep dive into a topic that's been making headlines. Click the video above or below for this month's KN Explains.
Ever hear your grandpa brag about how cheap candy used to be when he was a kid?
That's because prices increase over time.
We measure that increase through something called the inflation rate, which tells us how much the cost of goods and services goes up.
On May 20, Canadians got their monthly update on the inflation rate. The Bank of Canada announced that April's rate was 1.7 per cent.
That means in April 2025, things cost 1.7 per cent more, on average, than they did in April 2024. This is within economists' target range for healthy inflation.
But overall, inflation has gone up a lot in the past 10 years — especially with the COVID-19 pandemic shutting businesses and leading consumers to make fewer purchases.
In June 2022, inflation in Canada rose to a high of 8.1 per cent, the highest it's been in more than 30 years.
When prices rise that much in a short period of time, it gets harder for a lot of people to keep up.
Kids have told us that these days, it can be tough to afford essentials.
There are three main factors that usually contribute to inflation.
Watch the video to learn more about them.
There's a sweet spot for inflation, say experts
Chocolate isn't the only sweet thing we're talking about.
Experts told us there's kind of a sweet spot when it comes to the inflation rate.
You don't want it to be too low or too high.
Ideally, we'll see a subtle and sustained increase every year.
Right now, that sweet spot is between one and three per cent each year.
Experts told us it's also important for Canadians' wages — how much we earn — to keep up with inflation.
There's a lot to unwrap here, chocolate and inflation-wise. So let's get snacking and learning!
Press play to see Maya use the cost of a chocolate bar to explain inflation.⬇️⬇️⬇️
Have Your Say
This month's question is all about how you manage your money, spending or saving. Share your experiences and opinions in the form below.
You can read the answer to last month's question here:
What is something that you learned about MMIWG2S+ on Red Dress Day?
Have more questions? Want to tell us how we're doing? Use the 'send us feedback' link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Bank of Canada, with graphic design by Philip Street.
VIDEO CREDITS: Host, Maya Endale; Senior Producer, Lisa Fender; Creative Producer, Marielle Torrefranca; Video Producer: Jamie McMahon; Associate Producer, Angelica Cooper; Editor, Emily Queripel; Graphic Designer: Philip Street; Copy Editor: Janet Davison.
Send us feedback Report a typo or inaccuracy
Print Story
Share to Google Classroom
About the Contributor
Maya Endale
CBC Kids News Contributor
Maya Endale is a Grade 11 student from Edmonton, Alberta. She is an avid reader who's passionate about learning new skills and gaining knowledge.
Was this story worth reading?
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