What does inflation do to real income?

Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money, meaning that as prices rise, the same amount of income buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, if nominal income remains unchanged while inflation increases, real income declines, leading to a decrease in the standard of living. This effect can disproportionately impact those with fixed incomes, as their earnings do not adjust with rising prices. Overall, sustained inflation can negatively affect consumer spending and economic stability.