Questions and answers about
the economy.

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How did Brexit affect the mental health of ethnic minority youth?

Research evidence suggests that the UK referendum on whether or not to remain in the European Union had uneven social consequences. Younger people from ethnic minorities living in areas of the country with stronger support for Brexit experienced a deterioration in their mental health after the vote.

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Student data journalism
Nations, regions & cities

Population ageing and decline: what policies might mitigate the downsides?

Along with the rest of the UK, Wales’s population is ageing and there is a real chance of population decline, posing significant risks to economic wellbeing. Policy-makers can learn from international evidence on boosting fertility, retaining population and attracting inward migrants.

DATA HUB

The cost of ageing

New analysis from EBRD quantifies the economic impact of falling birth rates and population ageing.

Between 2000 and 2023, demographic growth added around 0.3–0.4 percentage points per year to GDP per capita growth in regions such as emerging Asia, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. Looking ahead to 2024–50, this contribution largely disappears and turns negative in advanced economies and emerging Europe, where ageing is most advanced, and fertility is in decline.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the exception, with demographics continuing to support growth as the working-age share rises.

Click here to read Federica Coelli and Pablo García Guzmán on how falling birth rates reshape the global economy.

Science, technology & innovation

Future shocked

From digital failures in the UK’s justice system to the Post Office tragedy and widespread anxiety about artificial intelligence across the world, the pace of technological change is testing the capacity of society’s core institutions to adapt and adopt.

Science, technology & innovation

Who trusts AI?

AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini have exploded in popularity over the last couple years. But while their adoption has undoubtably grown at a staggering speed, less is known about public attitudes towards the trustworthiness of these systems.

Crime, policing & justice

Will digital failures undermine trust in the justice system?

Multiple reports of digital systems failures in the justice system have emerged in recent months. These incidents highlight a central tension in justice reform: while digital tools may improve efficiency and accessibility, they also introduce risks that can erode public trust in legal institutions.

Productivity & growth

Have the UK’s northern cities really experienced a productivity miracle?

While official data points to a ‘productivity miracle’ in several large northern cities since 2019, a closer look suggests otherwise. This serves as a reminder to sense-check any data before using it, regardless of the source.

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