Suppose the Minimum Wage Was $0

question 64

Essay

Suppose the minimum wage was $0.25 per hour in 1938 and the CPI in that year was 11.5. If the CPI in 1990 was 130.7, what is the real value of the 1938 minimum wage in terms of 1990 dollars? The real value of the 1990 minimum wage in terms of 1990 dollars is $4.25. Has the real value of the minimum wage declined since 1938?

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Definitions:

Assembly Of Goods

The process of combining components or parts to manufacture a finished product.

Developed Nations

Countries with advanced industrial bases, high standards of living, and well-developed infrastructures.

Job Displacement

Occurs when employees lose their jobs due to factors such as automation, economic downturns, or structural changes in the industry.

Global Economic Shift

Major changes in the global economy that affect international trade, finance, production, and employment patterns.