This dataset tracks annual white student percentage from 2003 to 2023 for Christopher USD 99 School District vs. Illinois

This dataset tracks annual diversity score from 2003 to 2023 for Christopher USD 99 School District vs. Illinois

The US dollar index of February 2025 was higher than it was in 2024, although below the peak in late 2022. This reveals itself in a historical graphic on the past 50 years, measuring the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. This metric is different from other FX graphics that compare the U.S. dollar against other currencies. By July 15, 2025, the DXY index was around 98.01 points. The history of the DXY Index The index shown here – often referred to with the code DXY, or USDX – measures the value of the U.S. dollar compared to a basket of six other foreign currencies. This basket includes the euro, the Swiss franc, the Japanese yen, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, and the Swedish króna. The index was created in 1973, after the arrival of the petrodollar and the dissolution of the Bretton Woods Agreement. Today, most of these currencies remain connected to the United States' largest trade partners. The relevance of the DXY Index The index focuses on trade and the strength of the U.S. dollar against specific currencies. It less on inflation or devaluation, which is measured in alternative metrics like the Big Mac Index. Indeed, as the methodology behind the DXY Index has only been updated once – when the euro arrived in 1999 – some argue this composition is not accurate to the current state of the world. The price development of the U.S. dollar affects many things, including commodity prices in general.

In economics, the inflation rate is a measure of the change in price of a basket of goods. The most common measure being the consumer price index. It is the percentage rate of change in price level over time, and also indicates the rate of decrease in the purchasing power of money. The annual rate of inflation for 2023, was 4.1 percent higher in the United States when compared to the previous year. More information on inflation and the consumer price index can be found on our dedicated topic page. Additionally, the monthly rate of inflation in the United States can be accessed here. Inflation and purchasing power Inflation is a key economic indicator, and gives economists and consumers alike a look at changes in prices in the wider economy. For example, if an average pair of socks costs 100 dollars one year and 105 dollars the following year, the inflation rate is five percent. This means the amount of goods an individual can purchase with a unit of currency has decreased. This concept is often referred to as purchasing power. The data presents the average rate of inflation in a year, whereas the monthly measure of inflation measures the change in prices compared with prices one year ago. For example, monthly inflation in the U.S. reached a peak in June 2022 at 9.1 percent. This means that prices were 9.1 percent higher than they were in June of 2021. The purchasing power is the extent to which a person has available funds to make purchases. The Big Mac Index has been published by The Economist since 1986 and exemplifies purchasing power on a global scale, allowing us to see note the differences between different countries currencies. Switzerland for example, has the most expensive Big Mac in the world, costing consumers 6.71 U.S. dollars as of July 2022, whereas a Big Mac cost 5.15 dollars in the United States, and 4.77 dollars in the Euro area. One of the most important tools in influencing the rate of inflation is interest rates. The Federal Reserve of the United States has the capacity to make changes to the federal interest rate . Changes to the rate of inflation are thought to be an imbalance between supply and demand. After COVID-19 related lockdowns came to an end there was a sudden increase in demand for goods and services with consumers having more funds than usual thanks to reduced spending during lockdown and government funded economic support. Additionally, supply-chain related bottlenecks also due to lockdowns around the world and the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant that there was a decrease in the supply of goods and services. By increasing the interest rate, the Federal Reserve aims to reduce spending, and thus bring demand back into balance with supply.