economics essay competitions year 12

YES Essay Contest

The winners of the 2022 Young Economists' Society Essay Contest.

Winner : Hin Tak Ben Law - Eton College, United Kingdom

Special mention : Nori Law - King George V School, Hong Kong

Special mention : Eva Solway - Kellett School, Hong Kong

Essay title : Inflation in the United Kingdom rose to its highest level in almost 30 years in January 2022. Discuss the economic effects of such high rates of inflation.

Feedback from the judges:

Essays were well written with insightful analysis of the effects of high inflation in the UK. In most essays a range of reliable sources were used to support this analysis. In the best essays there was clear and nuanced evaluation of the effects of high inflation. To improve, some answers would benefit from:

Focusing on the question - the effects of inflation not why inflation is occurring.

Expanding a point fully before moving on to the next point.

Using reliable sources to support all points.

Evaluating points rather than focusing on only the positives and negatives.

• Jun 29, 2022

2022-23 CSEP Essay Competition is Released

Questions for 2022-23 CSEP Essay Competition is released!

Every year Cambridge Society for Economic Pluralism hosts its Essay Competition to encourage sixth form students to go beyond their curriculum and explore important questions society faces today. Our annual essay competition is open to all students starting Year 12 or 13 (or equivalent) in September 2022 (ie taking A Levels or IB or equivalents in the next two years) . We welcome essays in response to any of the 5 titles written below. When writing their essays, we strongly encourage students to consider economic ideas which are beyond the traditional, neoliberal syllabus of most economics courses and to support their arguments with real-world examples/data. Essays should be between 1000 and 2000 words in length (excluding any citations) and entries should be submitted by 23:59 UK Time (GMT+1) on September 4th, 2022. Result of the competition will be published on this page on October 2nd, 2022. Prize winner will be contacted individually regarding their prize.

For details of the competition please check our website .

For inspiration and review please check our past competition archive

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Harvard international economics essay competition, description.

The 2023 Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA) in conjunction with the Harvard College Economics Review (HCER). This essay competition is open to high school students of any year and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate an accomplished level of writing and understanding of economic theory. Through the contest, student competitors hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge to future employers and academic programs.  Competitors must construct a convincing argument using economic theory and real-world examples.  Winning essays will be published in the Harvard Economics Review and will be available for the greater Harvard community to read. Essays should focus on argumentation supported with facts and references, although data-based support is also welcome.

Discover Economics

Young economist of the year 2024 sponsored by kpmg uk and ft schools.

The 2024 competition is now closed. Many thanks for your submission. Finalists will be selected over the summer period, and will be contacted in September 2024  - sign up to our newsletter here to keep up to date! ​

- Aim - Eligibility - Entry format - What happens next? - Frequently asked questions

The Royal Economic Society Young Economist of the Year competition 2024 sponsored by KPMG UK and FT Schools aims at encouraging Year 10 – Year 13 students (in England and Wales, or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) to produce their own ideas in analysing contemporary economic problems facing the UK and the world.

Students can choose from a list of topics provided below. Students do not need to be studying economics to be able to enter this competition. The RES welcomes entries from any students who are interested in economic issues and would like to share original ideas or perspectives on these issues. The RES also welcomes a diverse range of contributions and insights on the competition topics.

The competition is now closed. Sign up to our newsletter here to find out next steps!

Entry format.

Your entry must: 

•    answer only 1 of these 5 questions:

Do you think the government should subsidise the purchase of electric cars?

What is the economic impact of the growing gig economy?

What are the economic arguments for and against a one off cost of living payment for all individuals?

What long term changes to the labour market might be expected post pandemic?

 Should the government tax goods that are unhealthy?

•    be in written or media format. Written would be in blog format no longer than 1,000 words. Media includes video, podcast or presentation slides. Videos and podcasts should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.

•    be an individual or group entry. Groups to be 2-5 students.

•    must not include any personally identifiable information. This needs to be entered on the competition website.

•    must not use applications such as ChatGPT or other forms of artificial intelligence (AI)

•    you must acknowledge the use of information/material from other sources. We do not require a detailed in-text referencing of your arguments, however a list of sources that you have consulted and have substantively influenced your arguments must be included at the end of your entry. If a written entry then this is not included in the word count. View the ‘ How to reference ’ video for more guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Take a look below at the recording of our webinar to find out the answers to some of your questions! If you still have anything you'd like to ask, please email [email protected] .

Is there a time limit on podcasts/videos?

Yes - podcasts and videos should be no longer than five minutes long.

Are there limitations on PowerPoints?

If your PowerPoint is recorded, and spoken over, it should be no longer than five minutes. If it is submitted as a PowerPoint alone, it should be no longer than eight slides, and have a maximum total word count of 1,000.

Do I need a transcript for my podcast/video?

No, but think about how you will submit your references - will this be spoken, or as a word document?

Do quotes contribute to the word count?

Any personal data which may be submitted in an entry will be processed by RES in accordance with any applicable data protection legislation, and RES Privacy Notice available at  https://res.org.uk/resources-library/privacy-notice/

The Financial Times has created a hub for schools and colleges.   Teachers in schools around the world with students aged 16-19 years old can  get free access to the FT here  and request individual FT accounts. Colleges in the UK can also sign up. You can  check to see  if your institution is already registered.

Schools Digest, a weekly newsletter from global education editor Andrew Jack, features student competitions, quizzes and the best of the Financial Times' expert analysis and coverage. All FT subscribers and those on the free schools programme can  subscribe here  to receive it every Monday at 7am.

Click here for more information.

Eligibility

To enter, you must be: •    in Years 10 to 13 in England or Wales, Years 11 to 14 in Northern Ireland, or S3 to S6 in Scotland (or equivalent)

•    studying in the UK

The competition is free to enter.

You do not need to be studying economics, and you can work on your entry or with up to 4 other students.

For independent school entries we promote mixed group entries with local state schools.

What happens next?

Submit your entry here .

All entries must be submitted by 23.59 (BST) on 14 July 2024 (deadline now extended!).

A panel will read and mark your entry before agreeing a final shortlist of 5 entries. The 5 shortlisted entries will be announced in September 2024 ahead of an in-person final event to be held at KPMG offices in October 2024.

The in-person final will involve the 5 entries giving a 10 minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions from an expert panel before a winner is announced.

The winning entry will be featured in the Financial Times.

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• Winners of the Young Economist of

Winners of the Young Economist of the Year 2021

• October 4, 2021

Each year the Royal Economic Society asks Year 12 and 13 students to submit an essay for The Young Economist of the Year Essay Competition, with this year’s competition open to those studying A-Level, International Baccalaureate (IB) or Scottish Highers qualifications.

For 2021, students were asked to write an essay of up to 1,000 words on one of five given topics, ranging from the pandemic to Brexit. This year the competition had over 1,000 submissions from students across the country.

The Royal Economic Society is pleased to announce that the overall winner of this year’s competition is Marc Kadir of Manchester Grammar School. Marc will receive a cash prize and have his essay published in the Financial Times , which will be available to read on our website and on the FT’s in the coming weeks. Alongside the overall winner, the Society are pleased to name the remaining three winners:

• Bruno Moura (“When, if ever, is it a good idea for central banks to set interest rates below zero?”
• Haoyu Wang (“We will fail to address climate change because Covid-19 showed we are unable to muster a concerted global response to common crises? Do you agree?” )
• Konrad Kurczynski (“Technological change will mean the wage gap between the skilled and unskilled will simply keep growing? Do you agree with this assessment?”)

The following were shortlisted and highly commended by the judging panel:

• Henry Ward of The Downs School, Newbury
• Jessica Cheung, Sutton Grammar School
• Tilly Mobley, Marlborough College
• Manav Sood, Rushcliffe School, West Bridgeford
• Oluwajoba Thomas, Bedford School, Hemel Hempstead
• Oliver Greenfield, Lingfield College, Surrey
• Jasmeen Johal, Guildford High School
• Melinda Zhu, Westminster School, London
• Yana Imykshenova, St Paul's Girls School, London

The following candidates were commended by the judging panel:

• Zhong Tong Zhang, St. Edward's School, Oxford
• Matthew Bonin, The Skinner's School, Tunbridge Wells
• Nevis Tompkins, Sutton Grammar School
• Henry Hall, Southend High School for Boys
• John Chang, Eton College, Windsor
• Sumayya Manji, North London Collegiate School, London
• Arjun Manoj Nair, St. Alban's School
• Isaac George Gilroy Baxter, King's School, Bruton
• Sameera Anjali Bhalotra Bowers, Colchester County High School for Girls
• Rachel Large, Churcher's College, Petersfield
• James Bradshaw, Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby
• Jin Samson, Christ's Hospital School, Horsham
• James Trotman, St Paul's School, London
• Keyi Xue, The Abbey School, Reading
• Xinyu Fu, St Paul's School, London
• Helen Tianying Deng, King Edward's School, Bath
• Dylan Sellors, Aylesbury Grammar School
• Anya Saund, Westminster School, London
• Thomas Wright, Royal Grammar School, Guildford
• Dev Patel, Wembley High Technology College, London
• Luke Philipson, Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham
• Oladipo Olukanni, King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
• Matthew Stubbs, Kimberley Sixth Form College, Bedford
• Francesca Shi, Westminster School, London
• Issah Ali Merchant, Harrow School, London
• Shampavi Sabesan, The Tiffin Girl's School, Richmond
• Samuel Oloniluyi-Abel, Finchley Catholic High School, London
• Oluwatope Omole, London Academy of Excellence
• Ollie Max McPherson Robinson, Royal Grammar School, Guildford
• Dawid Polus, Peter Symonds College, Winchester

The Society would like to congratulate all of 2021’s winners and thank everybody who participated.

The Society would also like to remind you to take advantage of free access to the Financial Times for schools and students .

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FT Schools competition: Young Economist of the Year

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This article is part of the Financial Times free schools access programme. Details/registration  here .

School students across the UK in years 12 and 13 are invited to enter the Young Economist of the Year competition run by the Royal Economic Society in association with the Financial Times.

Applicants — who need not be studying economics — have until July 10 to write up to 1,000 words on one of the five questions picked for this year.

The winning article will be published in the Financial Times and on the RES website and the author will receive £1,000, with £200 for each of the runners up.

Entries will be judged on originality, quality of writing, economic content and quality of the economic argument. They should answer a question on one of the following topics, described in detail on the competition website along with further guidance:

Regional inequality and “levelling up”

The UK’s “cost of living crisis”

The value of a university degree

Cryptocurrency and financial stability

The competition is part of the  FT’s schools programme , which provides free access to the FT for students aged 16-19, their teachers and schools around the world.

Supporting ideas and data for entrants can be found in the FT. Full details and information on submission are available on the  RES competition website .

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Study with us | Schools liaison | What we do | Events and prizes | Rex Nettleford Essay Prizes: Colonialism and its Legacies

Rex Nettleford Prize for Year 12 Students: Essays on Colonialism and its Legacies

In November 2021, Oriel College inaugurated the Rex Nettleford Essay Prize for year 12 students.

The prize is intended to encourage students to engage with the legacies of colonialism in all its forms – historical, political, economic, social, cultural. Colonialism is a major theme in British history. Its legacies are all around us. By writing an essay for the prize, a student has an opportunity to uncover the enduring influence of colonialism in our society and culture and to address some of the difficult and uncomfortable questions that it poses.

Whilst interest in British colonialism and its legacy provides the specific context for these prizes, colonialism is an activity with a much longer and more geographically diverse extent. Essays can address any relevant aspect, historical phase, cultural manifestation or geographical centre of colonialism, ancient or modern.

The prizes will be awarded on the occasion of an annual lecture also on the topic of ‘Colonialism and its Legacies’, which will take place in Trinity Term (early summer).

The prizes and annual lecture series are dedicated to Oriel alumnus Rex Nettleford, in recognition of his distinguished contributions in the fields of scholarship, culture, and education.

Rex Nettleford

Ralston “Rex” Nettleford (3 February 1933 to 2 February 2010) was an author, academic, dancer, and activist.

Born in Falmouth, Jamaica, Nettleford grew up in the country and graduated with a degree in History from the University of the West Indies. In 1957, he received a Rhodes Scholarship to Oriel College, Oxford and obtained an MPhil in Political Science. He returned to Jamaica in order to take up a position at the University of the West Indies, where he was Vice-Chancellor from 1998 to 2004.

In his academic work, Nettleford focused on issues of cultural identity particularly in the wake of colonialism. He repeatedly stressed “the importance and force of the exercise of the creative intellect and the creative imagination […] in shaping a new and civilised society out of slavery, colonialism and their aftermath, and building democratic nations out of erstwhile colonial fiefdoms’; ‘for the arts are a form of action.”

Rules of the Competition

The Rex Nettleford Prize is an essay competition open to students in Year 12. The prize is £250.

The purpose of the Prize is:

• To promote awareness amongst students in Year 12 of issues relating to colonialism and its legacies.
• To encourage students in Year 12 to develop their abilities for independent research and thought.
• To support teachers of able pupils by providing interesting and challenging further work and by bringing such students into contact with Higher Education.
• To encourage able students to consider applying to study subjects in the Humanities and Social Sciences, either at Oxford or at another university, by giving them experience of the type of work involved.
• To recognise the effort and achievement of the most successful submissions by a prize and commendations.

Note: the judges will not able to provide feedback on submissions.

Assessment Criteria

• Entrants should be in Year 12 (or equivalent) at a UK school or college.
• Students must address a topic that is not directly related to their A level course.
• The judges will look for a clear grasp of issues addressed, clarity in structuring and presentation of the argument, a critical approach to primary and secondary source materials, and originality of thought.

How to Apply

• Essays should be no more than 2,500 words in length and should be on ONE of the given questions below.
• The candidate may answer the question they select from the perspective of any discipline of their choosing (e.g. History, English Literature, Economics, etc.) but they must indicate at the head of their essay which discipline they have chosen.
• Essays should be word processed and submitted to [email protected] . Submissions should be in PDF format and attached as a copy to email. Essays that are submitted as cloud files may not be considered.
• A font size not less than 12pt should be used; page margins should be set to no less than 2.54cm.
• Essays should be accompanied by a bibliography, which does not count towards the word limit.
• Entries must be sent with a completed entry form, which is available to download below.
• Submissions should be accompanied by a signed statement from a teacher that the essay is the student’s original, unaided work and that it does not directly relate to the syllabuses of the A level subjects they are studying.

Essays must be received by 12 midnight on Friday 15 th March 2024.

Prizes will be awarded at Oriel College on the occasion of the Rex Nettleford Lecture during Trinity term 2024.

Questions for the 2024 Competition

Candidates must answer ONE of the following questions. Candidates should feel free to focus their answer in terms of its historical period, geographical centre and cultural range.

• How have ideas about nature shaped the histories and legacies of colonialism?
• What role has education played in the history of colonialism? Discuss in terms of specific educational practices, institutions, or curricula.
• How, if at all, has ancient imperialism influenced modern imperialism?
• Pick an example of popular or vernacular culture (for example, a song, film, sartorial style, novel, poem, dance, dish, meme, etc.) and explain it in relation to the histories of colonialism. How does your chosen example represent, contest, reflect, or otherwise respond to some specific aspect of colonialism?

Discover the 2022 prize winners

Discover the 2022 Rex Nettleford prize winners

further information

Schools liaison and outreach, lloyd davies philosophy prize, about the rex nettleford prizes.

Student Essay Competition .

The dorian fisher memorial prize 2022.

• A short essay, of roughly 1,200 words, on one of the following questions:
• A 500-word answer to one of the following two questions:
• A 500-word answer to the following question.

The Monetary Policy Essay Prize 2021-22 By the Institute of Economic Affairs, the Institute of International Monetary Research, and the Vinson Centre

“Does inflation matter? And will the current inflation upturn be transitory or not?”

The IEA is an educational charity and free market think tank .

Our mission is to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems.

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Harvard International Economics

Essay contest (hieec).

HIEEC provides students the opportunity to demonstrate an accomplished level of writing and understanding of economic theory. Through the contest, students hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge. 

HIEE C 202 3 -2024

Hieec 2023-2024 is now closed. .

The 2023-2024  Harvard International Economics Essay Contest is sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA). This essay competition is open to high school studen ts of any year and is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrat e an accom plished level of writing and understanding of economic the ory. T hrough the contest, student competitors hone their academic and professional skills and exhibit their knowledge to future employers and academic programs. 

Competitors must construct a convincing argument using economic theory and real-world examples. Winning essays will be published on our website  and will be available for the greater Harvard community to read. Essays should focus on argumentation supported with facts and references, although data-based support is also welcome.

Yiheng Lyu​

Audrey Ku k​

Hyoungjin Jin

Juyoung Chun

Kevin Zhang

Matthew Choi

Mikayil Sadikhov

Raunak Agarwal

Vallabh Himakunthala

Highly Commended

Aronima Biswas

Aryan Nangia

Kridaya Gupta

Leonardo Jia

Rohan Mathur

Anagha Chakravarti

Amberlynn Gong

Neha Shanavas

Donghyeon Oh

2023-2024  Essay Questions

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to affect growth, inequality, productivity, innovation, and employment. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, in particular, has greatly increased public awareness about the significance of AI and its implications for the future. What impact will the development of AI have on economic inequality, the composition of the workforce, and economic output as a whole? How can nations prepare for the micro and macroeconomic changes brought about by AI?

Measuring national and global economic activity allows us to understand how economies change in size and structure—how they grow and contract. In addition to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), government budgets, and the money supply, alternatives like the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross National Income (GNI) are used to assess economic progress. What are the advantages of our current economic indices, including GDP, HDI, GNI, government budgets, and the money supply, and in what areas are they lacking? Which of these indices do you find most helpful, and how can we enhance or combine them to improve our understanding of economic measurement?

Proponents of income redistribution support the idea that redistribution policies will increase economic stability and give more opportunities to the less wealthy. Others, however, are more skeptical and believe it could have negative consequences for economic growth. Current methods of redistribution include taxation, welfare, public services, and other monetary policies. What strategies for income redistribution should the U.S. adopt from other countries? What economic impacts could a wealth tax or super millionaire tax have? What type of redistribution is most effective and feasible? What would be the impacts of the U.S. enacting universal basic income? Discuss the implications of any of these issues and feel free to expand on other areas of economic redistribution.

As the United States weighs the impacts of China’s rise to global prominence, economics and national security have become increasingly intertwined. As a result, the United States government has imposed both tariffs and investment restrictions on China to limit the nation’s access to both US markets and intellectual property (specifically in sensitive industries such as semiconductors). What are the economic implications of these policies for United States firms, consumers, and workers? Discuss the most important perspectives of the US-China trade war and provide suggestions on how both countries can manage the prospect of a changing economic order.

2nd November 2023 – Essay titles released

11:59pm EST 5th January 2024  – Essay submission deadline

Late February 2024*  – Highly Commended and Finalists notified

Early March 2024 * – Winners notified, results published on the website

*We received a high volume of submissions, therefore we anticipate  that it will take us a couple m ore w eeks to release the results. 

Entrants must choose one of the four prompts and write a response to it with a strict limit of 1500 words. Submission must be via the HUEA website and entrants are limited to submitting one essay with only the first submission being considered. Each essay submission will have a $20 reading fee which should be paid upon submission of the essay. If this fee will impose a significant financial burden on your family, please email us. The deadline for submitting the essay is 11:59pm EST January 5th, 2024. ​

Please submit essay submissions via this form.

If the above link does not work, use:  https://forms.gle/9NVDu9WVbU71iPpq6

*Be sure to read all the details in the submission form carefully before submitting, as failure to complete any of the steps correctly may result in your submission not being considered.

The essays will be judged by the board of the HUEA, with the top 10 submissions being adjudicated by the esteemed Harvard professor and 2016 Economics Nobel Prize winner Oliver Hart.

The top three winning essays will be published ( with the author’s permission) on our website. A finalist s list of the top  submissions will be published online and adjudicated by 2016 Economics Nobel Prize Winner Oliver Hart. A list of names that will receive the "Highly Commended" distinction will also be published online​. The judges' decisions are final.

Terms and Conditions

The word limit of 1500 must be strictly adhered to. Any words past the limit will be truncated. This limit excludes references, footnotes, titles, headers and footers.

Essays must be written only by the entrant. Any outside assistance must be declared in the beginning or end of the essay.

Only your first submission will be accepted. Any further submissions will not be read.

References must be included, and any plagiarism will lead to disqualification.

References must be in Chicago or APA format. 

The only accepted document formatting is PDF. Any other format will not be accepted, nor will refunds be given to those who do not follow this rule.

No refunds are granted.

Grades 9-12 are permitted.

The essay must not be entered in any other competition nor be published elsewhere.

No individual feedback of essays will be granted.

The decisions made by HUEA by the final round of adjudication are final.

All winners agree to their names being published on the HUEA website.

Past Winners

2022  prompts an d winners.

In recent years and decades, many countries have seen fertility rates drop, potentially leading to falling populations. Currently, China has a fertility rate of 1.3, one of the lowest in the world. However, in 2021, China experienced GDP growth of 8% with output totaling $17.7 trillion. Will this lowered fertility rate (with potential to fall further) affect China’s economic growth and policy? How so? What, if anything, can the Chinese government do to limit the risk of falling fertility rates?

U.S. mortgage rates recently passed 7%, making the purchase of a new home increasingly unaffordable. Meanwhile, the United States has suffered from a chronic shortage of available housing for decades, particularly in urban areas, leading to what many scholars and advocates call an affordability crisis. Why is housing so unaffordable in the U.S.? What can (or should) be done by private actors, state and local governments, and the federal government to alleviate the affordability crisis?

It is often suggested that a tradeoff exists between economic growth and the health of the environment, especially now as the threat of climate change becomes more dire. What economic risks does a changing climate pose? Can economic growth be consistent with a healthy environment? What policies, either market-based or otherwise, should governments enact to protect the environment while posing the least danger to economic efficiency? 

Central banks such as the Federal Reserve in the U.S. and the Bank of England in the UK manage their nation’s macroeconomies with the goal of ensuring price stability and maximum employment. Globally, inflation rates are rising to levels not seen since the 1980s, particularly in the U.S. and European countries. To what extent should the monetary policies of central banks in various Western countries differ or resemble one another as a reaction to the specific causes of inflation facing their economies?

​ Click below to view each winner's essay

Ashwin t elang  *   nanxi jiang   *   duncan wong, 2019 wi n ner.

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/when-is-one-choice-one-t oo-many

2020 Winners

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/covid-19-and-the-market

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/automation-and-jobs-this-time-is-different

https://www.economicsreview.org/post/making-rational-decisions

Economics Essay Topics: Writing Ideas for Students

Writing an economics essay is all about analyzing how money, markets, and policies shape our everyday lives. Whether you're breaking down the effects of a recession or looking at how trade deals impact jobs, these essays give you a chance to explore real-world economic issues. 

Let’s face it, understanding economics isn’t just for class — it’s for life. After all, the global economy is worth over $100 trillion , and what happens in one corner of the world can ripple across the globe.

This article is here to make your life easier by offering a variety of economics essay topics to choose from. From microeconomics to broader global trends, there’s something here for everyone. 

And if, after going through the list, you still feel unsure about your topic or how to start your essay, DoMyEssay is here to help. Our economics essay writing service can assist you with everything from picking your topic to creating a well-researched essay.

So, take a look, find a topic that interests you, and start writing with confidence!

How to Choose an Economics Essay Topic?

When it comes to choosing an economics essay topic, the right choice can make your essay more engaging and focused. Here are some practical tips to help you out:

Economics Essay Topics For Students

When it comes to writing economics essays, choosing the right topic can set the stage for a great paper. Below, you’ll find a list of economics essay topics tailored specifically for students at different academic levels, starting with those suitable for high school.

Economics Essay Topics for High School

Economics might seem a bit complex, but it’s all around us, even in things we deal with every day. The topics below are all about connecting big ideas to stuff we’re all familiar with, making it easier (and maybe even a little fun) to explore the subject:

• The Impact of Rising Minimum Wage on Teenage Employment Rates
• How Inflation in 2024 is Affecting the Cost of School Supplies
• The Role of Supply and Demand in the Popularity of Streaming Services
• Analyzing the Economic Effects of Fast Fashion on Local Clothing Stores
• The Influence of Social Media Advertising on Teen Spending Habits
• How Online Shopping Discounts Affect Consumer Spending Behavior Among Teens
• The Economics Behind the Increasing Cost of College Tuition
• The Effect of Government Subsidies on Electric Vehicle Adoption Among Teens
• How the 2024 Inflation Surge is Impacting Family Grocery Budgets
• The Economic Benefits of Recycling Programs in High Schools

Economics Essay Topics for College Students

As a college student, you’re ready to deal with more complex economic issues with real-world implications. The topics below are designed to push your understanding and analysis to the next level:

• The Impact of the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on Global Trade
• How Remote Work Trends Are Reshaping Urban Economic Landscapes in Major U.S. Cities
• Central Bank Digital Currencies and Their Role in Reducing Transaction Costs in International Trade
• Analyzing the Effects of the U.S. Student Loan Forgiveness Policy on Consumer Spending and Savings Behavior
• The Economic Consequences of Supply Chain Disruptions in the Semiconductor Industry on Technology Markets
• The Influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance Criteria on Investment Strategies in Emerging Markets
• How China's Belt and Road Initiative Affects Economic Growth and Debt Sustainability in Participating Countries
• The Economic Effect of Minimum Wage Increases on Small Businesses in Rural vs. Urban Areas in the U.S.
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Carbon Taxation Policies in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the EU
• The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Labor Market Displacement and Economic Inequality in the Tech Industry

Economics Essay Topics for University Students

When you’re at the university level, economics essays push you to think critically about complex issues. The topics below are meant to challenge your understanding and give you a chance to explore specific, real-world economic situations that matter today:

• The Impact of Bitcoin Adoption on Financial Stability and Monetary Policy in Developing Nations
• How U.S.-China Trade Tariffs Are Reshaping Global Supply Chains and Emerging Markets in 2024
• The Role of Federal Reserve Rate Hikes in Managing 2024’s Inflation and Their Effect on Consumer Spending
• Brexit’s Long-Term Economic Impact on the UK Financial Sector and Global Competitiveness
• The Influence of Automation and AI on Wage Gaps and Employment in the Global Manufacturing Industry
• Mitigating Supply Chain Risks: Lessons from the 2020-2024 Semiconductor Shortages
• The Effectiveness of Carbon Credits in Reducing Global Emissions and Their Economic Impact in 2024
• Japan’s Aging Population: Economic Implications for Public Healthcare and Workforce Productivity
• The Impact of Finland’s Universal Basic Income Trials on Poverty Reduction and Economic Sustainability
• Post-2008 Financial Reforms: Are Global Banking Systems More Resilient to Future Economic Crises?

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Economics Essay Topics by Categories

Economics covers a broad range of topics, from individual consumer behavior to global financial systems. To help you focus on what interests you most, we’ve broken down economics essay topics into specific categories.

Microeconomics Essay Topics

Microeconomics looks at the small-scale economic activities that affect individual consumers and businesses. Here are some specific topics to explore:

• The Long-Term Effects of Government Price Controls on Consumer Demand for Essential Goods
• How Minimum Wage Increases Influence Small Business Hiring Practices and Wage Structures
• Global Supply Chain Disruptions and Local Grocery Prices
• Market Competition as a Driver of Technological Innovation in the Tech Industry
• The Rise of Eco-Friendly Products: How Consumer Preferences Are Shaping the Market
• Gig Economy Platforms and Their Impact on Traditional Employment Models
• Price Elasticity of Demand: Consumer Response to Pricing in the 2024 Smartphone Market
• The Role of Behavioral Economics in Crafting Targeted Marketing Strategies for E-Commerce
• How Housing Market Fluctuations Affect Rent Prices and Availability in Urban Areas
• The Influence of Government Subsidies on Small Business Adoption of Renewable Energy

Macroeconomics Essay Topics

Macroeconomics looks at the big picture, focusing on how entire economies work and the forces that shape them. If you're interested in how things like government policies, global trends, or economic cycles impact our lives on a large scale, these topics are for you:

• The Effect of Central Bank Policies on Inflation Rates During Economic Recovery Phases
• Analyzing the Effects of Fiscal Stimulus Packages on Economic Growth Post-Pandemic
• The Influence of International Trade Agreements on Global Economic Stability
• How National Debt Levels Influence Long-Term Economic Growth in Developed Countries
• The Economic Implications of Population Aging on National Healthcare Systems
• Exchange Rate Fluctuations and Export Competitiveness in Emerging Markets
• How Technological Advancements Are Reshaping Productivity Growth in Developed Economies
• The Effects of Global Oil Price Volatility on National Economies Dependent on Energy Exports
• The Impact of Income Inequality on Social Mobility and Economic Development
• The Role of Government Spending in Stimulating Economic Growth During Recessionary Periods

Managerial Economics Essay Topics

Managerial economics is all about applying economic theories and methods to make better business decisions. It’s where economics meets the real world of running a company, helping managers solve problems and plan for the future:

• The Role of Demand Forecasting in Strategic Business Planning and Inventory Management
• How Cost-Benefit Analysis Influences Decision-Making in Large-Scale Corporate Investments
• Pricing Strategies in Competitive Markets: Balancing Profit Margins and Market Share
• The Impact of Outsourcing on Cost Efficiency and Operational Effectiveness in Global Corporations
• The Economic Implications of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Technology Sector
• The Role of Game Theory in Shaping Competitive Strategies Among Rival Firms
• How Managerial Economics Guides the Allocation of Resources in Multinational Companies
• The Economic Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Brand Reputation and Consumer Loyalty
• The Influence of Economic Forecasting on Long-Term Business Strategy Development
• Evaluating the Cost-Effectiveness of Employee Training Programs in Increasing Productivity

Consumerism Economics Topics to Write About

If you're curious about the economic side of shopping, marketing, and consumer behavior, these topics will give you plenty to think about.

• The Economic Impact of Fast Fashion on Global Supply Chains and Consumer Spending
• How Social Media Influences Consumer Purchasing Decisions and Brand Loyalty
• The Role of Consumer Credit in Driving Economic Growth and Household Debt Levels
• Analyzing the Rise of Sustainable Consumerism and Its Effects on Traditional Retail Markets
• The Economics of Subscription Services: Why Consumers Prefer Renting Over Owning
• How Consumer Boycotts Affect Corporate Policies and Market Performance
• The Influence of Online Reviews on Consumer Behavior and Sales
• The Economic Implications of Consumer Data Privacy Regulations on Digital Marketing Strategies
• The Role of Consumer Confidence in Shaping Economic Cycles and Business Performance
• How the Shift to Online Shopping Is Reshaping Brick-and-Mortar Retail Economics

Economics History Essay Topics

Economic history explores how economies have evolved over time, looking at the factors that have shaped economic systems, policies, and outcomes:

• The Economic Causes and Consequences of the Great Depression in the 1930s
• How the Industrial Revolution Transformed Economic Structures and Labor Markets in Europe
• The Role of Economic Policies in the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
• The Impact of Colonialism on the Economic Development of Africa and Asia
• Analyzing the Economic Effects of World War II on the Global Economy and Trade
• The Evolution of Banking Systems and Their Role in Economic Growth During the 19th Century
• How the Gold Standard Influenced Global Trade and Economic Stability in the Early 20th Century
• The Economic Legacy of the New Deal Programs in the United States
• The Role of Economic Factors in the Collapse of the Soviet Union
• The Economic Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis on Global Markets and Policy Reforms

Socio-Economics Essay Topics

Socio-economics looks at how society and economics interact — how our social environment affects economic behavior and vice versa. It’s all about understanding the human side of economics, from income inequality to the impact of culture on spending habits:

• The Impact of Income Inequality on Access to Education and Economic Mobility in Developed Nations
• How Social Class Influences Consumer Spending Patterns, Brand Loyalty, and Lifestyle Choices
• The Economic Effects of Immigration on Local Labor Markets and Wage Levels in Host Countries
• Analyzing Gender’s Role in Economic Opportunities and Wage Disparities Across Sectors
• How Cultural Norms Shape Economic Behavior and Business Practices in Different Regions
• The Socio-Economic Impact of Gentrification on Housing Affordability and Community Dynamics
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Economic Trends and Consumer Behavior
• How Economic Policies Affect Poverty Levels and Social Mobility in Urban Areas
• The Role of Education in Reducing Socio-Economic Inequality and Promoting Economic Opportunities
• The Economic and Social Implications of Universal Basic Income: Insights from Pilot Programs

International Economics Essay Topics

If you’re interested in understanding how economies around the world are connected and how these connections impact everything from local jobs to global financial stability, these topics are right up your alley:

• The Impact of Trade Tariffs on Global Supply Chains and International Trade Relations
• How Exchange Rate Fluctuations Influence Export Competitiveness and Trade Balances
• The Role of International Trade Agreements in Promoting Economic Growth Among Member Countries
• Analyzing the Effects of Globalization on Income Inequality Within Developing and Developed Nations
• The Economic Implications of Brexit on the European Union’s Trade and Financial Markets
• How International Sanctions Affect the Economies of Targeted Countries and Their Trading Partners
• The Role of Multinational Corporations in Shaping Global Economic Policies and Trade Dynamics
• The Impact of International Aid on Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in Low-Income Countries
• How Global Financial Crises Influence International Monetary Policies and Economic Cooperation
• The Effects of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth and Industrial Development in Emerging Markets

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Behavioral Economic Topics to Write About

Behavioral economics is where psychology meets economics, exploring how people actually make decisions rather than how we think they should:

• How Cognitive Biases Influence Consumer Spending Habits in Everyday Life
• The Role of Social Norms in Shaping Financial Decision-Making and Saving Behavior
• Analyzing the Impact of Behavioral Nudges on Retirement Savings Rates Among Different Age Groups
• How Emotional Factors Affect Investment Decisions and Stock Market Behavior
• The Economics of Impulse Buying: Understanding the Psychological Triggers Behind Consumer Purchases
• How Loss Aversion Drives Decision-Making in High-Stakes Financial Situations
• The Influence of Peer Pressure on Economic Choices Among Teenagers and Young Adults
• How Framing Effects Shape Perceptions of Value and Influence Consumer Choices
• The Role of Behavioral Economics in Designing Effective Public Policy and Social Programs
• How Mental Accounting Affects Financial Planning and Budgeting Decisions

Environmental Economics Essay Topics

Environmental economics is about understanding the economic impacts of environmental policies and how economic activities affect our planet:

• The Economic Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Carbon Tax Policies Globally
• How Renewable Energy Investments Influence Economic Growth and Job Creation in Developing Countries
• Analyzing the Impact of Deforestation on Local Economies and Global Carbon Emissions
• The Role of Economic Incentives in Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices
• How Environmental Regulations Affect the Competitiveness of Manufacturing Industries
• The Economics of Water Conservation: Balancing Demand and Resource Management in Water-Stressed Regions
• The Impact of Climate Change on Global Food Security and Agricultural Economics
• How Circular Economy Models Can Drive Economic Growth While Reducing Environmental Impact
• The Role of Environmental Economics in Shaping International Climate Agreements and Policies
• The Economic Costs of Air Pollution on Public Health and Productivity

Agricultural Economics Essay Topics

Agricultural economics looks at how the business of farming works and how economic factors affect food production and rural life. If you're curious about how farmers make decisions, how food prices are set, or how agriculture shapes economies, these topics are just for you:

• The Impact of Agricultural Subsidies on Farm Income and Production Efficiency in Developed Countries
• How Climate Change Is Affecting Agricultural Economics in Different Regions
• The Role of Technological Innovations in Increasing Sustainability in Agriculture
• Analyzing the Economic Effects of Trade Policies on Global Agricultural Markets
• The Economics of Organic Farming: Profitability and Market Trends in the 21st Century
• How Rural Development Programs Influence Agricultural Productivity and Economic Growth in Developing Nations
• The Economic Implications of Genetically Modified Crops on Global Food Security and Trade
• The Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Enhancing Farmers’ Market Access and Bargaining Power
• How Water Scarcity and Resource Management Affect Agricultural Production and Food Prices
• The Economics of Farm-to-Table Movements and Their Impact on Local Food Systems and Rural Economies

Financial Economic Topics to Write About

Financial economics explores how money flows through the economy, how markets behave, and how financial decisions get made:

• The Influence of Central Bank Interest Rate Hikes on Stock Market Volatility and Investor Behavior
• Understanding How Cognitive Biases in Behavioral Finance Affect Individual and Institutional Investment Choices
• The Role of Financial Regulations in Preventing Economic Crises: A Case Study of the 2008 Financial Meltdown
• The Long-Term Effects of Inflation on Investment Portfolios
• How the Rise of Cryptocurrencies Is Disrupting Traditional Banking Systems and Financial Markets
• The Economic Impact of High-Frequency Trading on Market Liquidity and Price Stability
• How Venture Capital Investment Drives Innovation in the Tech Industry and Influences Economic Growth
• The Impact of Global Financial Crises on National Monetary Policies and Economic Recovery Strategies
• How Exchange Rate Volatility Affects International Investment Portfolios and Global Trade
• The Importance of Credit Ratings in Shaping Corporate Financing Decisions and Access to Capital

Today’s key trends in economics include everything from digital currencies and sustainability to shifts in global trade and the impact of technology. Choosing the right economics essay topic can help you dive into these important issues and understand them better. 

If you’re still unsure about your topic or need help with your essay writing, DoMyEssay is here to support you at any stage!

International Monetary Fund. (n.d.). DataMapper . Retrieved August 20, 2024, from https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php

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