Economics EE Topic Ideas + Examples

Your Economics EE deadline is approaching and you don’t know what to choose as your essay’s topic? Don’t worry, Clastify is here to help! We prepared a list of topic ideas and examples for you to get inspired. We are hoping that you will find our suggestions helpful in the writing process. 
 

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Government intervention

International trade

Market structures

Development economics

Digitalization & economic transformation

Economics EE ideas 
 

1. Provision of COVID-19 vaccines: The COVID-19 pandemic lea the government to initiate the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. The aim was to swiftly vaccinate the majority of Malaysians to save lives, boost the economy, and lower virus transmission risks. The effectiveness of the vaccine provision, analyzed in this study will help gauge its impact on Malaysia's GDP and unemployment rate, guiding future decisions on vaccination strategies during outbreaks.
    
    

2. Steel cap policy: Within this analysis, you could look at the impact of one country’s policy on global prices of ore iron and how it affected the export quantity of a different country. The market for iron ore is dominated by a few key players. Brazil, the second-largest producer, relies on vast reserves to export significant quantities of iron ore, while China's role as both the largest importer of iron ore and the largest steel producer significantly influences market dynamics. Recent policies in China, such as capping steel output due to environmental concerns, are expected to impact iron ore prices and global economic trends, prompting an analysis of the relationship between Chinese steel production and Brazilian iron ore exports.
    
    

3. Trade war: Through this topic, you could explore how the imposition of import tariffs influenced the export performance of a chosen country. The US - China trade war resulted in bilateral tariffs exceeding billions of dollars, disrupting global trade flows. Both countries suffered economic repercussions, leading to potential opportunities for other nations like Pakistan. China's retaliatory tariffs on American seafood imports led to a decline in U.S. seafood exports to China, creating a gap in supply that Pakistan, a major seafood producer, could potentially fill.
   
    

4. Government policies on cigarette consumption: Within this topic, you could evaluate the effectiveness and impact on stakeholders of different policies aimed at reducing the negative externalities of smoking. The Slovak government and the European Union share a goal to reduce cigarette consumption to 5% by 2040. Hypothesizing that Slovakia's policies may not effectively reduce cigarette consumption due to the addictive nature of smoking, this research evaluated the long-term effects of government interventions on tobacco consumption habits.
    
    

5. Market structure: For your EE you could analyse a chosen market to determine its structure taking into account its size, prices, number of firms, product differentiation etc. Ice cream parlors have become prominent in Bratislava, which suggests a growing role for ice cream businesses in urban economy, prompting questions about customer preferences, competition, and market structure. Investigating these dynamics in the Old Town's seasonal ice cream market offers insights into consumer behavior and business strategies amidst limited operating windows and intense competition.
   
    

6. Microcredits: Microcrediting, pioneered by Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, aims to uplift impoverished individuals by providing small, accessible loans. While traditionally seen as a tool for women's economic empowerment, the effectiveness of microcredits in fostering growth and development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, is questioned. This research seeks to evaluate the impact of microcredits on women's empowerment and economic development in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before and after the pandemic, offering insights into its role in supporting vulnerable communities in times of crisis and framing developmental strategies for the post-pandemic world.
    
    

7. Digital modes of payment: If you chose this topic, you could elaborate on to what extent the digital modes of payment substituted cash and what were the spillover effects observed in the chosen country. In case of India, the government advocates to embrace digital payments to remain competitive globally. However, the transition to digital transactions will be a gradual process, with challenges such as acceptance in all markets, particularly rural areas lacking infrastructure. While digitization may lead to lower corruption and economic growth, the shift from cash to digital payments prompts a need to explore the extent and implications of this transformation on India's economy.
    
    

8. Parental benefit policy: In this analysis, you could look at the effects of introducing parental benefits policy on the standard of living taking into account different factors such as the life expectancy or education index. The Polish "500+" program, providing financial aid to all children without conditions, has garnered public attention and parallels with Universal Basic Income. This topic is significant due to its relevance to modern issues like the aging population, as highlighted by the World Health Organization's projections. Despite its short history and limited research, the "500+" program warrants study as a pioneering family policy instrument with potential implications for broader welfare policies
   
    

   
    

9. Tax on fat: The fatty food market represents a market failure caused by externalities, asymmetric information and cognitive failure. The author proposes introducing a tax to decrease fatty food consumption. Through this topic, you could analyse how the imposition of such a tax would reduce the healthcare costs of a chosen country and evaluate its impact on different stakeholders. 
    
    

10. E-commerce turning point: Looking at this topic, you could discuss how COVID-19 led to a digital transformation resulting in an e-commerce turning point. The competitive landscape in this market has intensified as consumers increasingly prefer the convenience of online shopping over traditional retail experiences. You could support the analysis of a country’s economy with a case study of an e-commerce firm, this extended essay investigated the theoretical and empirical view on the growth of Amazon.
     
     

11. Direct taxes: In this analysis, you could determine whether direct taxes are the best way to address the over-consumption of demerit goods and propose complementary policies. This EE investigated the intervention on the sugary drink market taking into consideration the regressive effect on the poor, price elasticity of demand, and effect of asymmetric information. Alternative policies such as the use of legislation, negative ads, and nudges were also considered. 
     
     

12. Russian invasion of Ukraine:  Ukraine's invasion by Russia in February 2022 disrupted its grain production and export, causing global grain prices to soar and leading to higher inflation rates worldwide. Farmers in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, a major wheat and rapeseed producer, were expected to benefit from these events. The research focused on assessing the impact on global agriculture, analyzing economic theories, and gathering insights from interviews with Brandon farmers. This comprehensive approach aimed to understand how supply-side shocks affected grain and oilseed markets and how farmers responded to changes in operating costs and market conditions.
     
     

13. Nudges: In this topic from behavioral economics you could assess the effectiveness of gently altering individuals' behavior and compare it to other possible policies. By observing the impact of nudges on student participation at School X, the author determined their effectiveness in promoting engagement and how this may benefit the UK economy by fostering skilled individuals and improving academic outcomes. This investigation seeks to understand whether nudges in a school environment can replicate the success seen in other contexts and contribute to broader economic growth trends, such as increased academic achievement rates.
    
     

14. Productivity: By deciding on this topic, you could analyze how different factors such as savings influence workers' productivity. The COVID-19 lockdowns saw reports of increased worker productivity, particularly among high-income teleworkers, prompting a closer examination of the neglected home-based garment workers who are often trapped in poverty cycles due to low savings. Investigating the impact of savings on the productivity of home-based garment workers in South Delhi is essential for understanding their economic dynamics and informing policies to support this vulnerable segment of the informal labor force.
    
     

15. Seasonality: Through this topi,c you could examine the effect of seasonality on a chosen market, its prices and the quantity of products or services sold. Many buyers and sellers face the challenge of determining the optimal timing for transactions to align with their needs and preferences. Seasonality, characterized by fluctuations in market activity at specific times of the year, is a common phenomenon in many real estate markets but may not be universally applicable. Investigating the extent of seasonality in Riga's real estate market is crucial for prospective buyers and sellers to anticipate price fluctuations and make informed investment decisions.