There are many different ways to learn about economics, and one of the easiest and most fun ways is to read the news. It's easy for students to get lost in the associated material of their respective economics courses. The world of economics is so much more than that and what many don't realise, economics extends to include almost all major news that you see across contemporary news outlets.
Although not every news story is necessarily about economics, the fact that economics influences so much of our daily lives means that often you can improve your understanding of financial economics, banking, or global economics just by reading daily news stories and keeping up to date with the latest political developments.
Even some of the greatest issues that are prevalent in today's political world such as overseas conflicts, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and climate change have lasting economic implications that must be considered in decision making. Reading the news is a great way to keep up to date with the global economy and appreciate the severity of each issue in its own right.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together a list of where you can find quality online economics news that will help give you a broader outlook on this fascinating subject.
If you are interested in furthering your knowledge in economics as a means of upskilling your competencies in the constantly evolving workplace then reading the news can be a great outlet to achieve this.
Online resources such as the news also provide an attractive alternative for students who are picking up the subject for the first time and might want to get a feel for whether or not they have an interest in the subject.
Keep Up To Date with Reuters and the FT
If you ask an economics or business undergraduate, or anyone working in finance, what publications are good to follow if you want to improve your knowledge of economics and the global market, and become familiar with the current economic trend of the day, then many of them would suggest that you follow Reuters as well as the Financial Times.
The reasoning behind this is simple. Reuters is an international news agency that reports on many areas, from business and markets news to politics, technology, and personal finance.
With journalists located across the globe, Reuters provides regular news updates from around the world and covers issues ranging from inflation and deflation to unemployment, household debt, and general borrowing.
It’s really easy to keep up to date with the latest news on Reuters as well, as they have a presence on all the major social media platforms, including:
- Twitter;
- Facebook; and
What’s more, there’s also Reuters TV as well as a Reuters Live Blog, so whether you prefer to have your news delivered via tweet, TV, or through an online article, there’s a format to suit you (you can listen to podcasts as well).
The Financial Times almost needs no introduction as an online publication. With a focus on business and economic news, the publication has become the go-to for anyone working or interested in finance and economics. With content that focuses on domestic as well as international news, it’s also a great one-stop-shop if you want to learn more about economics on a global level.
If you find the Financial Times too formal, then it may be that you’ll have better luck reading articles from the Economist. It’s all about experimenting and reading different stories to see what works and helps you learn more about different economies and how they are performing on the world economic stage.
Equally, if you plan on working within finance and are currently studying economics or business at school or university, then you’d also do well to catch up with the daily news on Bloomberg. Although Bloomberg News is a U.S. based news agency, it provides news stories from all regions of the globe, including Europe, so there are plenty of relevant and engaging articles to catch up on.
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Follow Economic News with The Irish Times
If you’re looking for news that is more local in focus, then you could do far worse than the Irish Times. The Irish Times cover a wide range of news, from business and banks to technology, entertainment and world news.
Although it doesn’t claim to have a particular emphasis on economic news, there is solid coverage of Irish business news, and it is a great resource to use when looking for an insight into economic trends.
An equally good source for the latest information on Irish business and finance is the Guardian’s website. If you’re looking for the latest information on the Irish economy, as well as a place to read up on the daily headlines, then the Guardian has a wide range of articles for you to read, with new articles added regularly.
So whether you would like to read more about stocks, wage volatility, government spending, currency markets, global wealth, or even the Chinese economy, you'll likely be able to find an article that will help you.
What’s more, you can follow both The Irish Times and the Guardian on social media, as they both have an established social media presence. That means that you can stay up to date with the news even as you’re on the go, and as a result, you eliminate any uncertainty that you're missing out on the latest news updates.
Ideally, it’s best to read a wide variety of newspapers and their columnists, for example:
- The Irish Times;
- The Guardian; and
- The Irish Independent;
By reading widely, not only will you find out about the different perspectives that the papers have, but you’ll also develop a wider understanding of the topic you’re reading about, whether that’s the fiscal policy or the global economy.
Check Out the Powerhouse is the Economist
Of course, no list of the best economic publications would be complete without mentioning the Economist.
The Economist is famed for its engaging content and unique articles. The magazine itself is a weekly publication and you can receive issues physically or digitally, so it’s a great read whether you’re at home or on the train.
You can also just go to their website and, provided you have a subscription, read the latest articles on there. As its name suggests, there is a strong focus on the global economy and international finance, however, other news areas are covered as well, such as science and technology.
Reading just an article a day can teach you about different economies all around the world and how they react to different stimuli. You will also have the option to filter the articles that are presented to you based on your topics of interest. This gives a more personalized experience so you're bound to find an article that interests you in each edition.
If you are studying Economics or any business subject for that matter at a third-level institution it might also be worth your while inquiring about a free subscription. Many universities are given a certain amount of subscriptions each year to give to their students. This means that you won't have to break the bank trying to diversify your reading routine!
Finances can be stretched at the best of times as a student, so having the opportunity to trial the service for a year is certainly something you should consider. Particularly if you have an interest in learning more about the topic or you are looking to boost your grade in the subject.
Find The Online Publications That Best Suit You
You can choose to read any number of the above online publications, or equally you may prefer to read none of them. The key is to find a publication that:
- is written in a style that appeals to you;
- provides regular, informative content; and
- has some form of focus on economic issues, whether that’s international trade or global finance
You’ll find that, once you’ve found a news outlet that works for you, you’ll be more motivated to read that publication’s articles regularly. Finding the right publication can really determine your attitude towards reading and better yet, economics as a whole. This will, in turn, give you more knowledge about past and current issues, such as:
- changes in interest rates;
- the lasting impacts of the coronavirus pandemic
- the 2008 recession and the global financial crisis; and
- the rate of GDP growth and economic growth or decline globally
Knowing about such issues will help your performance in class and help give you a successful outcome in your economics studies. Reading economic journals and material outside of your prescribed course material can work wonders for your understanding of the subject. You'll find yourself with a newfound perspective on economics and might even begin to see the topic through real-life examples.
Being able to take your learnings from the classroom and being able to apply them to the world around you is fascinating and will undoubtedly make you see the subject in a new light.
There are also online publications such as the OECD Observer that can help build your understanding of global economic issues. Although it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find an article that can be easily referenced in your essay, the OECD Observer has articles that cover a wide range of topics, including:
- the economy;
- governance;
- taxation; and
- trade and investment
This means that the publication is full of useful resources that can provide a solid overview of the issues, both economic and otherwise, that are impacting the world today.
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Benefits of reading economic publications
Having a knowledge of current events that are influencing our economy is a great way to stand out in an interview situation. A keen interest in economics is something that will really resonate with employers, and resing economic publications is a great way for you to communicate this.
There is no shortage of jobs in economics and other business-related disciplines, learning about the business world can only be advantageous to your career development or employment prospects.
It's important to remember that while obviously reading economic publications is important for students looking to expand their understanding of the topic, many who read the economist do so solely out of interest and enjoyment. Some of the benefits of reading economic publications really are as simple as having an enjoyable way to kill an afternoon or having some interesting talking points for discussion.
Reading is a great way to destress your mind, particularly for students who are constantly worrying about approaching deadlines any exams that might be looming. By choosing to read economic publications you will be putting your destress time to productive capacity and doubling up on your economics study efforts!
You will likely notice your comprehension skills beginning to improve which would inherently help you across subjects such as English, where reading comprehension paper on both the junior and leaving cert papers.
Reading economic publications on a regular basis is a great way to exercise and engage your brain, this has been shown to help your overall cognitive functioning improving your ability to retain information and focus. For students, this can help to give you the edge over your peers and maximize your overall exam results.
Having an understanding of the world around you is important for countless reasons, reading about economics is a great way to see the circulation of money, the impact of inflation, or the influence of different fiscal policies before your eyes. This is something that could lead you to more informed decision-making when it comes to voting for economic policies.
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Finding an economics tutor with Superprof!
Finding a suitable tutor that suits your own style of learning is by no means an easy task by any stretch of the imagination... Often looking for a tutor to help you in your economics revision and exam preparations can prove quite daunting for students who might not know where to look.
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Superprof is a community that comprises millions of tutors around the world and has an established presence within Ireland, where there is no shortage of economics tutors for students to avail of.
For students who may be unsure about how to study economics or have difficulty in particular areas of the course, working alongside a teaching professional is a great way to learn and eliminate any necessary trial and error.
Your Superprof economics tutor will likely have worked with countless economics students in the past and helped them to achieve their goals in the subject. H
Hiring a tutor to help you in your upcoming exams is a great way to improve your grades, focus your learning on areas that you struggle with, whether that is macroeconomics, microeconomics, or the world economy. Additionally, tutors can help improve your exam technique.
Using the platform to find your next economics tutor can be particularly beneficial in situations when time is constrained such as during the lead-up to the junior or leaving cert exams. Students can even select their tutor according to their specific needs and style of learning.
Economics lessons have an average rate that typically ranges from €8 right up to €30 per hour, with the majority of tutors offering their first lesson free of charge. This allows students to get a feel for the lessons before committing to any payment. Having a tutor can certainly help put your mind at ease during the build-up to an exam, working through exam solutions and coaching students through best practice examine tactics are just some of the benefits which surface with the assistance of a tutor.
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