Choosing a strong IB Economics IA topic can be challenging, especially when you want something unique, rooted in real data, and feasible with publicly available sources. A good Economics IA topic investigates a clear economic relationship, uses reliable data, and allows you to apply relevant economic models.

This guide provides eighty focused IB Economics IA topic ideas covering Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Economics, Development Economics, Behavioral Economics, and Market Structure analysis. Every topic is designed to be research-friendly, measurable, and aligned with IB criteria.

You will also find three mini examples, guidance on refining topics, and the most common mistakes students should avoid.

What Makes a Good Economics IA Topic

A strong IB Economics IA topic should:

1. Use real, recent, and trustworthy data
2. Be narrow enough to explore in 700–800 words (IA commentary)
3. Allow clear use of an economic model such as supply and demand, elasticity, market failure, AD-AS, or exchange rates
4. Include evaluation, real-world context, and stakeholder impact
5. Avoid overly broad macro-level questions that lack specific data

Good Economics IA topics often emerge from price changes, policy changes, taxes, subsidies, inflation, unemployment releases, trade announcements, or market shocks.

80 IB Economics IA Topic Ideas

Below are categorized and IA-appropriate ideas for both SL and HL.

Microeconomics IA Topics

(Pricing, elasticity, taxes, subsidies, market failure)

1. Investigating how a recent price change affected demand for a common household product
2. Analysing the price elasticity of demand for a popular food item
3. Investigating how a tax on sugary drinks affects consumer behavior
4. Studying how a subsidy on renewable energy affects production decisions
5. Analysing the impact of price increases on ride-hailing service usage
6. Investigating how a shortage affects pricing in a local market
7. Analysing the effects of minimum wage changes on hiring intentions
8. Investigating shifts in demand for online learning services
9. Analysing the effect of a supply shock on fruit or vegetable prices
10. Investigating the impact of rising fuel costs on the cost of transport services

Price Elasticity and Consumer Behavior Topics

1. Estimating price elasticity of demand for coffee or tea
2. Investigating cross elasticity between two competing food brands
3. Studying how discount size affects consumer purchasing patterns
4. Estimating elasticity of demand for public transport
5. Analysing how price changes affect fast-food sales
6. Investigating how advertising impacts demand for a product
7. Analysing the responsiveness of online shoppers to delivery fee changes
8. Studying how price volatility affects consumer confidence in a market
9. Estimating income elasticity for a normal or luxury good
10. Investigating substitute switching behavior during price increases

Market Failure IA Topics

1. Analysing the impact of plastic bag charges on consumer usage
2. Investigating how noise pollution affects housing values
3. Studying the effectiveness of recycling incentives
4. Evaluating the impact of congestion on commuter decisions
5. Investigating shortages and surpluses caused by price ceilings or floors
6. Analysing how pollution regulations affect firm production costs
7. Evaluating the impact of a smoking ban or restriction
8. Investigating the underconsumption of merit goods like health check-ups
9. Studying how public transport improvements reduce negative externalities
10. Analysing market failure in subscription-based digital products

Macroeconomics IA Topics

(Growth, inflation, unemployment, interest rates)

1. Investigating how changes in interest rates affect consumer borrowing
2. Analysing the impact of inflation on grocery spending patterns
3. Studying how unemployment levels affect consumer confidence
4. Investigating how exchange rate changes affect imports of a specific product
5. Analysing the relationship between GDP growth and energy consumption
6. Studying how a government stimulus program impacts household spending
7. Investigating how housing market changes affect construction output
8. Analysing the relationship between inflation and savings behavior
9. Investigating how fuel price increases affect cost of living
10. Studying how changes in tax policy affect disposable income

Economic Indicators IA Topics

1. Analysing the correlation between interest rates and stock market performance
2. Investigating how consumer confidence index affects retail sales
3. Studying how inflation affects wage growth
4. Investigating how exchange rate volatility impacts tourism inflow
5. Analysing the impact of unemployment announcements on retail activity
6. Investigating the relationship between manufacturing output and GDP
7. Studying how inflation expectations affect spending
8. Analysing the relationship between household debt and consumption
9. Investigating how policy uncertainty affects market behavior
10. Studying how education spending relates to economic productivity

International Economics IA Topics

(Trade, exchange rates, tariffs, globalization)

1. Investigating how exchange rate appreciation affects export prices
2. Analysing how tariffs affect prices of imported goods
3. Studying how free trade agreements influence product availability
4. Investigating the effect of oil price changes on trade balances
5. Analysing how global supply chain disruptions affect prices
6. Investigating the effect of depreciation on tourism competitiveness
7. Studying how import restrictions influence domestic production
8. Analysing the impact of exchange rate volatility on small businesses
9. Investigating how shipping cost changes affect retail prices
10. Studying how international demand shifts affect commodity prices

Development Economics IA Topics

1. Investigating the relationship between literacy rates and income levels
2. Studying how access to internet affects productivity in households
3. Analysing the relationship between healthcare spending and life expectancy
4. Investigating how microfinance affects small business growth
5. Studying how remittances impact household consumption
6. Analysing inequality using the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient
7. Investigating how infrastructure quality influences economic opportunity
8. Studying how population growth affects per capita income trends
9. Analysing access to clean water and its economic effects
10. Investigating how skill development programs affect employment prospects

Behavioral Economics IA Topics

1. Studying how choice architecture affects consumer decisions
2. Investigating the impact of anchoring in online pricing
3. Analysing how limited-time offers influence purchasing intention
4. Investigating how framing affects perception of product value
5. Studying irrational spending behavior during large sales
6. Investigating the role of loss aversion in investment preferences
7. Analysing how social proof affects adoption of new products
8. Investigating consumer overconfidence in budgeting
9. Studying how brand loyalty affects substitution behavior
10. Investigating sunk cost fallacy in everyday purchasing decisions

Mini IA Examples With Clear Economics Focus

1. Investigating how a recent price change affected demand for a common product

Possible research question
How has a recent price increase affected quantity demanded for a popular household item

Economics involved
Elasticity, supply and demand, determinants of demand

Data
Retail price data and sales data from publicly available sources

What to explore
Estimate elasticity and evaluate consumer responsiveness.

2. Analysing the impact of exchange rate changes on import prices

Possible research question
How has recent exchange rate depreciation affected the price of imported electronics

Economics involved
Exchange rate theory, price pass-through, international trade effects

Data
Exchange rate history and product price data

What to explore
Evaluate winners and losers such as consumers and retailers.

3. Investigating how a tax affects consumption of sugary beverages

Possible research question
How has an indirect tax affected the demand for sugary drinks

Economics involved
Market failure, taxes, supply and demand, elasticity

Data
Market prices before and after the tax, sales volumes if available

What to explore
Evaluate policy effectiveness and stakeholder impact.

Common IA Mistakes To Avoid

1. Picking a topic without recent real data
2. Trying to analyse too many variables
3. Using macro indicators that are too broad
4. Writing theory instead of analysing data
5. Forgetting diagrams or using incorrect ones
6. Making claims without supporting evidence
7. Choosing a topic too large for commentary length

How To Turn a Topic Into a Research Question

Good IA research questions usually follow this pattern:

How has [policy or price change] affected [market outcome] in [specific market]

Examples:

Topic
Public transport demand

Research question
How has a recent fare increase affected demand for public transport

Topic
Exchange rates

Research question
How has exchange rate depreciation affected prices of imported goods

This keeps your analysis detailed and focused.

Final Tips for Your Economics IA

• Use clear and recent data
• Include diagrams with correct labelling
• Keep commentary narrow and analytical
• Evaluate real stakeholder effects
• Avoid overly macro-level generalizations
• Stay aligned with the 700–800 word limit

A strong Economics IA blends data, diagrams, and real-world analysis. The ideas above can help you choose a topic that is relevant, focused, and manageable.

If you would like help narrowing down your IA topic or getting feedback on your work, you can sign up on Baccalytics to get clear, structured guidance from IB specialists.