The consumer price index is the index most often used to measureChoose one answer from the options below.unemploymentper capita incomeinflationthe labor force

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the purpose of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
2. Determine what economic phenomenon the CPI is most commonly associated with.

Relevant Concepts

1. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services.
2. It serves as a critical indicator for inflation, reflecting how much prices have increased or decreased over a certain period.

Analysis and Detail

1. CPI and Inflation: The CPI is primarily used to track inflation. When prices of goods and services rise, this indicates inflation, which erodes purchasing power.
2. Unemployment and Per Capita Income: These are different economic concepts. Unemployment measures the number of people without jobs, while per capita income relates to the average income earned per person in a given area. The CPI does not directly measure these.

Verify and Summarize

After reviewing the roles of CPI and its association with economic indicators, it becomes evident that the CPI is fundamentally aimed at measuring inflation rather than any of the other options listed.

Final Answer

The consumer price index is most often used to measure inflation.