IB Economics IA News Articles (100+ Articles)

Why Choosing the Right IB Economics IA Articles is Essential

Selecting the right Economics IA articles is the foundation of a strong Internal Assessment. The IB Economics IA requires you to analyze real-world economic issues using relevant theories and concepts. However, not all news articles are created equal, and choosing the wrong one can make your IA much harder to write, reducing your chances of scoring high marks.

The article you select shapes your entire commentary, so it’s important to find one that allows you to showcase your understanding of Economics effectively. A well-chosen article makes it easier to apply key concepts, evaluate economic impacts, and provide thoughtful analysis. On the other hand, a poorly chosen article—one that is too broad, too short, too descriptive, or not directly tied to an economic concept—can lead to weak analysis and an IA that lacks depth.

What Makes Great Econ IA Articles?

Strong Economics IA articles should meet these essential criteria:

1. It Must Be Recent

The IB requires that your article be published within the last year of writing your IA. This ensures that your commentary is relevant to current economic conditions. Using outdated sources may lead to weaker evaluation and missed opportunities to discuss real-time economic trends.

2. It Should Focus on a Specific Economic Issue

A good article should highlight a clear economic issue, such as:

• Market failure (e.g., externalities, government intervention, price controls)
• Macroeconomic concepts (e.g., inflation, unemployment, interest rates)
• International trade and development (e.g., tariffs, exchange rates, economic growth)
• Microeconomic principles (e.g., supply and demand, elasticity, production costs)

The article should allow you to apply one or more economic theories effectively. If an article is too vague or covers too many different economic issues, it may be difficult to focus your analysis and stay within the IB’s 800-word limit.

3. It Should Be Analytical, Not Just Descriptive

Many news articles simply report on events without analyzing their causes or effects. For your Econ IA articles, you need an article that discusses why something is happening and what the potential consequences might be.

For example:
❌ Weak Article: “The government recently announced a price cap on fuel prices.” (Too descriptive)
✅ Strong Article: “Economists warn that fuel price caps may lead to shortages and black market activity.” (Allows for analysis and application of price controls and market failure concepts)

Choosing an article that already includes some level of analysis will make it much easier for you to evaluate the issue critically in your commentary.

4. It Should Be Concise and Understandable

A long, technical report from an academic journal or government study may contain useful data, but it isn’t suitable for your IA. The best Economics IA articles are usually short, news-based pieces (300–800 words) that provide enough context without overwhelming you with complex data.

Look for articles from reputable news sources like:

• BBC Business
• The Guardian Economics
• The Financial Times
• The Economist
• Reuters
• Bloomberg

These sources often provide articles that are accessible, well-written, and relevant to key economic concepts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Economics IA Articles

🔴 Picking an article that is too broad – If the article covers multiple economic issues, it will be difficult to analyze within the word limit.

🔴 Choosing an article with little economic relevance – If you struggle to connect the article to an economic concept, it’s not a good choice.

🔴 Selecting an opinion piece or editorial – These articles often lack factual reporting and can be too biased for objective analysis.

🔴 Using outdated or historical articles – The IB requires recent articles, so avoid sources older than a year.

🔴 Relying on complex reports – If you can’t summarize the article in a few sentences, it’s probably too complicated for an 800-word IA.

How Our 100+ Economics IA Articles Can Help You

We know how frustrating it can be to spend hours searching for the perfect IB Economics IA articles. That’s why we’ve curated a list of 100+ articles, all selected for their relevance, clarity, and suitability for IB students.

Our list ensures you:
✔ Save time searching for the right article.
✔ Have a variety of topics to choose from.
✔ Use examiner-approved article selection criteria.

For full information about the Economics IA, go here