The 1 euro hamburger, now costs 1.85

Until 2022, and for more than 10 years, a hamburger chain sold one of theirs for 1 euro. Today, one costs 1.85. This is one of the clearest examples of inflation. And your salary, has it increased by 85% in 3 years? This is one of the best examples of the loss of purchasing power.

Now, inflation has soared again to 3.3%. What does that mean? That prices have increased by 3.3% compared to March of last year. And everything indicates that it will continue to rise. We might think that, over time, inflation will go down again. And it will, but that doesn't mean prices will fall, but rather that their rise will simply slow down.

The big question is whether, with this price increase, we will maintain purchasing power. In 2026, pensions have risen by 2.7%, civil servants' salaries by 1.5%, and private salaries are expected to rise by 3%. It should be taken into account that, to decide the increases for 2027, in the case of pensions, the average of 2026 is used, and in the case of salaries, agreements between the parties. The higher the inflation, the more salaries should rise by 2027.

The underlying problem is that wages and pensions tend to react after prices have already risen. First, life becomes more expensive, and eventually, it is regulated, but in the meantime, families have already absorbed the loss of purchasing power. An inflation of 3.3% may seem moderate when compared to the peaks of recent years. But the problem is not just the figure for one month, but the accumulated effect. When prices rise year after year, even if it's “only” 2%, 3%, or 4%, the impact on daily life is enormous if incomes do not keep pace. That's why many families today feel that they work the same, earn more on paper, but have less at the end of the month. And this feeling is not psychological. It is mathematical.