Questions and answers about
the economy.

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What are the big economic challenges facing the government in Iran?

Policy-makers in Iran face numerous economic challenges. The impacts of Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine – together with longer-term issues related to high unemployment, rising inflation and worsening corruption – represent a difficult puzzle for Ebrahim Raisi’s government to solve.

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Student data journalism
Nations, regions & cities

Why did Venezuela’s economy collapse?

The Venezuelan economy has suffered from decades of disastrous economic policies – and more recently, from economic sanctions. The country has seen the largest ever decline in living standards outside war, revolution or the collapse of the state.

DATA HUB

Venezuela’s economy: a regional outlier

What has happened to Venezuela’s economy since 1960?

For decades, Venezuela sat in the middle of the South American pack. Since 2014, its GDP per capita has fallen dramatically, while neighbours, especially Guyana and Uruguay, have continued to grow.

Why?

Click here to read Frank Muci’s 2024 analysis on Venezuela's economic collapse.

Nations, regions & cities

What role could migration play in the reconstruction of Ukraine?

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has triggered the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, with nearly six million Ukrainians displaced worldwide. This creates a critical challenge looking ahead to post-war reconstruction. With over 200,000 Ukrainians currently here in the UK, policy-makers must consider both the current needs of refugees and how the diaspora can help to support economic recovery in Ukraine.

Schools, universities & training

UK higher education finance: what’s the problem and what can be done?

The tripling of tuition fees in 2012 put universities in a strong financial position. But since then, fees – and the maintenance loans that support students – haven’t kept up with inflation. Now, students face real hardship and some universities seem to be in deep financial difficulties.

Inequality & poverty

Does Adam Smith's theory really imply today's inequality?

What was the ideal economic system for Adam Smith? His writings disapprove of high profits and advocate regulation, a minimum wage and well-designed taxes.

Energy & climate change

Missing capitals: how should we think about the modern wealth of nations?

Conceptions of wealth tend to focus on financial assets. But prosperity also depends on natural capital, human capital, social capital and intangible capital.

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