Economics Observatory | Questions and answers about coronavirus and the UK economy

Job opportunities for refugees: how can host countries help?

People who are refugees typically have worse employment prospects than the rest of the population, including other migrant groups. Targeted policies can help: speeding up application decisions, supporting access to work, improving job matching and providing language and mental health support.

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Jobs, work, pay & benefits

What’s happening with UK wages and employment?

The latest labour market data show that the UK unemployment rate has increased slightly after a period of stability, while wage growth has eased. Vacancies are declining steadily, having recently fallen below pre-pandemic levels. Redundancies have stopped rising in the last two months.

DATA HUB

Global fall in terrestrial water storage

The Earth’s land-water reserves have shrunk in the last 20 years, largely due to climate change, both because of melting glaciers and the depletion of groundwater.

Click on the chart to read Sam Bickel-Barlow on the global water crisis.

Productivity & growth

What are the short-term prospects for UK economic growth?

UK GDP grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2025 – its strongest quarterly rise in a year. But while the country is currently outpacing its G7 peers and despite a partial agreement with the United States on tariffs, growth over the full year is expected to slow due to mounting global trade tensions.

MAGAZINE

Read the latest edition of our magazine here

The social restrictions and disrupted educational experiences resulting from Covid-19 have had a negative impact on many young people’s mental health. The damage to wellbeing has been more persistent in certain groups, particularly among girls and those who identify as non-binary.

Recession & recovery

How can macroeconomic forecasting in the UK be enhanced?

Technological advances such as machine learning and big data models can improve our understanding of current economic conditions. Nowcasting models bridge the data gap between statistical releases, helping to identify trends in real time and allowing more accurate and timely policy measures.

Nations, regions & cities

What do the UK’s high streets reveal about regional inequality?

UK high streets vary in both range and affordability. From Greggs’ national footprint to the dominance of Pret A Manger in London, the location and prices of different shops reveal the country’s economic, political and cultural divides.

Prices & interest rates

What’s happening to the cost of rent in the United States?

Americans faced surging rental costs in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic. Since then, the cities and regions that have built the most houses have managed to bring prices under control. But in places where housing supply remains low, rents have continued to spiral.

Energy & climate change

How could US foreign aid cuts affect global public health?

The United States has announced deep cuts to its foreign aid programmes, including pausing activity at the country’s main federal aid agency. This is likely to increase the spread of infectious diseases in lower-income countries, as well as magnifying global economic and geopolitical instability.

Energy & climate change

The global water crisis: what is the right policy response?

Freshwater is essential for human life and economic activity. But rising demand and reduced supply threatens access to water for billions of people. Rethinking pricing and investing in efficiency are essential for policy-makers to address this global challenge.

Nations, regions & cities

After Australia’s election: what are the big economic challenges?

Australia’s voters have returned the Labor Party to power – not least as geopolitical uncertainty favoured the stability of incumbency. Key areas of the renewed government’s focus will be measures on industrial innovation and skill formation to boost productivity and help to raise living standards.

Trade & supply chains

The airport economist: how is southern India responding to the trade war?

Bengaluru and Chennai, two of southern India’s most vibrant cities, are emblematic of the country’s resurgence as a global economic powerhouse. With tariff barriers being raised in China and the United States, the Asian sub-continent may offer alternative opportunities for exporters and investors.

Nations, regions & cities

How should Africa respond to America’s new foreign economic policy?

The trade war between China and the United States will have knock-on effects on Africa, primarily from reduced demand for exports of raw materials. To protect their economies and to seize new economic opportunities, governments across the continent should promote deeper intra-regional integration.

Trade & supply chains

The airport economist: what’s happening in Taiwan’s economy?

Taiwan is close to being in the world’s 20 biggest economies by GDP. Trade and global connectivity are central, not least given the country’s key role in the global semiconductor industry. It also has a strong commitment to the environment and the economic opportunities around renewable energy.

Attitudes, media & governance

What are the big economic issues in Australia’s federal election?

On 3 May, Australia’s voters choose their next government. Both the incumbent Labor Party and the Liberal-National Coalition are campaigning on promises to tackle the cost of living and issues around energy, housing and immigration. But the dominant theme is how to respond to the Trump trade war.

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