The devaluation of the ruble ... What is it, perhaps, representatives of the older generations would never want to recall. After all, this process means that the exchange rate of the national currency decreases relative to different values at different time periods. Until the thirties of the last century, this term meant that for paper banknotes their gold or silver equivalent is reduced. Then they began to call it the method of conducting monetary policy, when used, the parity of the monetary unit of one state relative to the monetary unit of another state is reduced. This is facilitated by different levels of inflation and the state of balance of payments.
Severe shock
When did the ruble undergo significant devaluation in recent decades? What is this known to those who had ruble savings in 1998, when in a few days the national currency fell from 6 to 20-25 rubles per dollar, and the state defaulted on its obligations. Later, at the end of the last century, the ruble began to cost even cheaper relative to the American dollar, and in 2000 they paid about 40 cents for it. Since then, the value of Russian money has changed in one direction or another, but over 14 years their depreciation has occurred within acceptable limits, up to 29-30, and more recently, up to 33-34 rubles per dollar.
Reasons for devaluation in Russia
What determines the revaluation or devaluation of the ruble? What is it from the point of view of general economic processes? Experts believe that energy prices play a decisive role in the formation of exchange rates for the Russian economy, as government revenues are largely dependent on their level. For example, in the spring of 2012, the cost of the Brent mixture fell by 30 percent, which could not but affect the value of the ruble. She fell by more than 18%, from 28.8 rubles. up to 34.1 rub. for one dollar.
The devaluation of the ruble in 2013 was no exception to the rule. During this period, the oil price fell from $ 118 to $ 102 per barrel (by 13.5%), which led to a drop in the ruble from 30 to 33 units per unit of the American currency. At the same time, international speculators, as well as commodity companies and ordinary citizens, who (remembering the negative experience) often try to get rid of Russian money, participate in devaluation processes. It is also interesting that rising energy prices do not always or do not immediately affect the strengthening of the Russian ruble.
Current situation and consequences
Is there a devaluation of the ruble in 2014? What is it today? It is assumed that at current prices of 34 or more rubles per dollar, the slowdown in economic development is to blame, where costs are rising and incomes are falling. In addition, today the volume of consumer lending is declining, there is an outflow of capital from the country. Therefore, the Central Bank considered it permissible to weaken the national currency.
The consequences of the devaluation of the ruble represent a set of negative factors, including: a rise in the cost of imported goods for the population, including medicines, household appliances, electronics, a change in the market valuation of property of enterprises in terms of foreign currency. Strong devaluation processes reduce consumer spending, cause discontent among people in connection with rising prices, because The Russian economy buys many products and products abroad.