What is a likely result of increased wage demands driven by inflation expectations?

Increased wage demands driven by inflation expectations generally lead to higher production costs for businesses. When employees expect inflation to rise, they often seek higher wages to maintain their purchasing power. Employers, in response to these higher wage demands, encounter increased labor costs, which can lead to an overall increase in production expenses. Businesses may then pass these costs onto consumers through higher prices, potentially contributing to the inflationary cycle as companies adjust to maintain profit margins.

When production costs increase, it can affect the supply side of the economy, leading to shifts in aggregate supply and potentially impacting overall economic growth. While some might think that increased wages could lead to higher consumer spending, this is not a direct result of the wage increases themselves, but rather a complex interaction with other economic factors.