Interest Rates & Inflation

Inflation is the rise over time in the prices of goods and services [source: Investopedia.com]. It's usually measured as an annual percentage, just like interest rates. Most people automatically think of inflation as a bad thing, but that's not necessarily the case. Inflation is the natural byproduct of a robust, growing economy. No inflation, or deflation (the lowering of prices), is actually a much worse economic indicator. Also, in a healthy economy, wages rise at the same rate as prices.

source: Interest Rates and Inflation