Questions and answers about
the economy.

New PostData stories

300 years of history: In numbers

The central task for the global economy since Adam Smith’s times has been to provide for an exploding population. Life expectancy has doubled; the global headcount has risen more than ten-fold; yet economic output has increased far faster – growing by 16,700%.

Inequality & poverty

The flipside of American progress: economic failure or failed economics?

Unbridled capitalism—an idea often mistakenly attributed to Adam Smith—has flourished in the United States. But it ignores deep inequalities, not just economic but also in health and wellbeing.

Nations, regions & cities

What would it take to level up the UK’s rural areas

Many rural parts of the UK are being left behind. But in discussions of regional inequalities, such lower population areas get less attention than post-industrial towns and cities. Rural development requires investment and strategies tailored to specific circumstances, needs and priorities.

News

The ECO Data Hub: new tools for access and interpretation

The Economics Observatory’s upgraded Data Hub addresses long-standing problems with accessing and interpreting public data. We’ve built a system that is open, verifiable and automated, allowing users to draw data directly from official sources and display the numbers with a simple and flexible tool.

Banks & financial markets

Why did Credit Suisse fail and what does it mean for banking regulation?

Jitters in the US banking system spilled over into Europe with the buy-out of one of Switzerland’s leading banks by its traditional rival, UBS. The causes of Credit Suisse’s failure are different from those of Silicon Valley Bank, but the impact on future regulation is likely to be greater.

Banks & financial markets

How has the Russian invasion of Ukraine affected global financial markets?

As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to unfold, its global economic impact remains uncertain. Evidence from the stock market indicates that firms with strong trade or ownership ties to Russia are more likely to face adverse consequences as the conflict wears on.

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