Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026: Complete Guide

Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026: Complete Guide

Editorial overview

The Royal Economic Society Young Economist of the Year competition sits within Discover Economics, a campaign designed to broaden the appeal of economics and challenge the narrow idea that the subject is only about graphs, numbers or financial markets. The competition is sponsored by KPMG UK and supported by FT Schools, connecting student work with both professional economics and the Financial Times’ approach to explaining real-world issues. That background gives the competition a clear educational purpose: to help students see economics as a way of asking better questions about society.

Students in Years 10–13 can enter individually or in groups of up to five, and they do not need to be studying economics. The 2026 format allows a written blog, presentation, podcast or video in response to one of five contemporary questions, including inequality, free trade, dynamic pricing, billionaires and the long-run effects of AI on growth. This flexibility is important because the competition rewards economic reasoning and communication rather than a particular school subject or essay style.

The progression after submission also makes it more substantial than a simple writing award. A panel selects five finalists, who present their work and answer questions from an expert panel at an in-person final hosted at KPMG. The competition has also developed regional recognition through a Welsh Award and a new Scottish Award, while past finalists have had opportunities to meet economists and visit institutions connected with economic policy. Students should therefore prepare for explanation and questioning, not just polish a written entry.

We rate the Young Economist of the Year at Advanced Level. The open format and no requirement to have studied economics make it approachable, but the need to apply economic ideas to contested public questions and defend them in presentation creates a meaningful challenge. It is a strong fit for students considering economics, PPE, business, politics, geography, public policy or data-informed social science.

What is the competition?

The competition asks students to respond to an economics theme or question. Depending on the current rules, entries may include written or media-style formats, so students should check the official page carefully before deciding how to present their work.

This flexibility can make the competition especially appealing to students who are strong communicators.

Registration and official dates

For the latest deadline, eligibility, entry formats, AI-use rules and submission instructions, families should check the official competition page:

Check the official Young Economist of the Year page

Information checked as of 27 May 2026. Competition dates, eligibility rules and submission instructions can change between cycles, so families should always confirm the latest details on the official website.

Who is it for?

This competition can suit students who:

• enjoy current affairs
• ask why people, firms or governments make certain choices
• like explaining complex ideas simply
• are considering economics, business, PPE, finance, politics or public policy
• may prefer communication formats beyond a traditional essay

It may not suit students who only want numerical problem solving and dislike explanation.

What makes a strong entry?

A strong entry usually has:

• a focused question or angle
• clear economic concepts
• real-world examples
• reliable evidence
• accessible explanation
• a conclusion that says something specific

The best entries help the reader see an issue differently.

How difficult is it?

This competition is accessible to start, but strong entries are intermediate to advanced.

How to prepare

1. Find the economic idea

Students should identify the concept behind the prompt: incentives, scarcity, markets, inequality, externalities, opportunity cost, inflation, employment, trade or public goods.

2. Choose a specific example

Broad answers are usually weaker. A specific market, policy, country, community or group can make the entry more memorable.

3. Explain simply

Good economics communication is clear. Students should avoid using jargon unless they explain it.

4. Use the right format

If the rules allow different formats, students should choose the format that fits their strengths.

Useful resources

• Discover Economics official resources
• Bank of England education materials
• CORE Econ
• Tutor2u economics explainers
• ONS, OECD, World Bank or IMF data pages
• reputable news and policy explainers

Students should follow official originality rules and keep a source list.

Related competitions

The closest related competition is FCDO Next Generation Economics Competition 2026. FCDO is more focused on international policy, while Discover Economics is broader and can be more communication-led.

Students interested in practical entrepreneurship may also consider Student Enterprise Programme (Ireland).

How parents can help

Parents can help by turning everyday news into economics questions:

• What is the trade-off?
• Who benefits?
• Who pays?
• What incentive is created?
• What evidence would prove this?

This builds the habit of economic thinking.

Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Writing about economics as only money
✔ Show choices, incentives and trade-offs.

❌ Making the topic too broad
✔ Choose a specific angle.

❌ Using data without explanation
✔ Explain what the evidence shows.

❌ Choosing a format because it looks impressive
✔ Choose the format that communicates best.

Related competition on CompeteMap

You can check our competition record here: Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026.

Related reading

• Economics and Business Competitions in the UK & Ireland
• How to Build a Competition Portfolio for University

Key Takeaways

Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026 is best understood as an advanced-level opportunity with advanced skill demand, open entry and substantial preparation. Young Economist of the Year is a strong entry point for students interested in economics. It rewards clear explanation and real-world thinking. Students should check the official page for current formats and rules. Strong entries use accurate concepts, focused examples and reliable evidence. It is broader and more communication-led than some policy essay competitions. Parents can help by discussing trade-offs and incentives in everyday news.

Final thoughts

Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year can help students test whether economics is genuinely interesting to them.

The best entries make economics feel useful: a way to understand choices, consequences and the world around us.