Economics IA ideas: how do you choose one?
Choose an idea that fits the subject criteria and can be answered with evidence, a method, and resources you can access.
The Economics IA is three 800-word commentaries, each on a different news article (each from a different source, published within about a year of writing) and each applying a different part of the syllabus - one microeconomics, one macroeconomics, one global. A strong commentary is built around one clearly drawn diagram and a real evaluation of a policy.
Which research questions fit Economics IA?
The questions below are starting points to adapt to your own variables, evidence, and assessment task.
A government introduces or raises a tax on sugary drinks.
Approach · Micro. Indirect-tax diagram; price elasticity of demand, tax incidence, government revenue, welfare loss, and the health externality argument.
A country raises its national minimum wage.
Approach · Micro. Labour-market diagram with a minimum wage above equilibrium; trade-off between higher pay and unemployment, elasticity of labour demand, monopsony counter-argument.
A subsidy is announced for electric vehicles or heat pumps.
Approach · Micro. Subsidy diagram; positive externality of consumption, marginal social benefit, opportunity cost of the spending, effectiveness vs alternatives.
A central bank changes its main interest rate.
Approach · Macro. AD/AS analysis; the monetary transmission mechanism, time lags, effect on investment, the exchange rate, and inflation vs growth.
A government announces a fiscal stimulus (spending increase or tax cut).
Approach · Macro. AD shift and the multiplier; crowding out, the state of the cycle, automatic stabilisers, and debt sustainability.
Inflation data for a country is released and is unusually high or low.
Approach · Macro. Demand-pull vs cost-push causes; real vs nominal values, distributional effects, and which policy tool fits the cause.
A new tariff or a trade dispute between two countries.
Approach · Global. Partial-equilibrium tariff diagram; effects on domestic producers, consumers, government, deadweight loss, and terms of trade.
A currency depreciates sharply.
Approach · Global. Effects on exports, imports and inflation; the J-curve, the Marshall–Lerner condition, and pass-through.
Surge or dynamic pricing (ride-hailing, concert tickets, electricity).
Approach · Micro. The price mechanism rationing scarce supply; allocative efficiency vs equity, consumer surplus, and price-gouging regulation.
A country joins or leaves a trade bloc or signs a free-trade agreement.
Approach · Global. Trade creation vs trade diversion; effects on consumers, protected industries, and the pattern of specialisation.
Youth or regional unemployment figures are published.
Approach · Macro. Types of unemployment (structural, cyclical, frictional); hysteresis, the output gap, and supply-side vs demand-side policy.
A developing country receives an IMF or World Bank loan with conditions.
Approach · Global/development. Growth vs development trade-offs, debt burden, the effect of conditionality on public services, and alternative financing.
Find questions that fit your resources
Filter the Economics ideas by time and equipment. This is a practical shortlist, not a judgement about the quality of a research question.
12 of 12 starting points match these time/equipment filters
- 01A government introduces or raises a tax on sugary drinks.
- 02A country raises its national minimum wage.
- 03A subsidy is announced for electric vehicles or heat pumps.
- 04A central bank changes its main interest rate.
- 05A government announces a fiscal stimulus (spending increase or tax cut).
- 06Inflation data for a country is released and is unusually high or low.
- 07A new tariff or a trade dispute between two countries.
- 08A currency depreciates sharply.
- 09Surge or dynamic pricing (ride-hailing, concert tickets, electricity).
- 10A country joins or leaves a trade bloc or signs a free-trade agreement.
- 11Youth or regional unemployment figures are published.
- 12A developing country receives an IMF or World Bank loan with conditions.
Items with unspecified equipment or time remain visible. Check safety, ethics, available evidence and the current assessment guide before choosing.
Research question feasibility test →Sources & verification
Primary-source references used to verify key assessment facts on this page. Last source check: September 22, 2026.
These Economics ideas are original iBacalao starting points, not official IB research questions. Check the current Economics subject guide, your assessment session and your school's safety/ethics rules before committing to a question.
- IB: Diploma Programme assessment and examsOfficial overview of criterion-related assessment and internal assessment in the Diploma Programme.
- IB: current curriculum updatesOfficial hub for current and upcoming subject/assessment changes and subject briefs.
Picked a question? Check your draft before you submit.
iBacalao reviews your Economics commentary (one of the three IA portfolio commentaries) criterion by criterion using the configured Economics criteria for this assessment session. Start with 60 Shells.
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