Interest rates have a big effect on the economy. Think of interest rates like the cost of using money. They decide how much it costs when you borrow money and how much you earn from keeping your money in a bank.
When interest rates are low, it's not as expensive to borrow money. This encourages people to take out loans to buy things like houses, cars, and start businesses. This can help make the economy grow because more people spend and invest money.
But when interest rates are high, borrowing money becomes more expensive. This makes people not want to spend as much, which can slow down the economy. Businesses might wait before growing, and people might not buy big things.
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Interest rates also affect the housing market. When interest rates are low, it's easier for people to buy houses because mortgages cost less. This can make house prices go up. But if interest rates are high, it's harder for people to buy houses, so prices might not go up as much.
The people who control the economy, like the Federal Reserve in the United States, use changes in interest rates to help the economy. If things are going too fast and prices are going up too much, they might raise interest rates to slow things down. But if the economy is slow, they might lower interest rates to make people borrow and spend more.
Interest rates also matter in the stock market. When interest rates go up, some people like to invest in things like bonds instead of stocks. This can make stock prices go down. Also, companies might have to pay more to borrow money when interest rates are high, which can affect how much money they make and their stock prices.
In the end, interest rates are really important for the economy. They affect borrowing, spending, and how businesses grow. Understanding how interest rates work helps people and businesses make smart money decisions.