IB Economics HL · 2022 to 2025
IB Economics HL past papers
436 past paper questions from 32 papers across 8 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Starter set across the most-tested skills, with AI marking and model answers.
HL archive · 2022 to 2026
IB Economics HL past papers
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 436
- questions
- papers
- 32
- papers
- exam sessions
- 8
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 83
Units in Economics HL
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
Unit 1
Introduction to economics
1% of marks19 of the 2329 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (1%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 7 questions
- RisingOpportunity cost and trade-offs
Unit 2
Microeconomics
28% of marks662 of the 2329 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (28%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 141 questions
- DueCalculating PED, YED and XED (HL)
- DueSubsidies
Unit 3
Macroeconomics
29% of marks686 of the 2329 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (29%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 134 questions
- RisingAggregate demand
- RisingEconomic growth and unemployment
Unit 4
The global economy
41% of marks962 of the 2329 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (41%) were on this unit. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 154 questions
- DueFree trade benefits and the terms of trade
- RisingEvaluating development strategies
Papers in Economics HL
Each paper across every sitting. The ring is the share of the marks it carries.
13 sittings · no calculator
Paper 1
42% of marks975 of the 2329 marks in the Economics HL archive were set in Paper 1, across 13 sittings. · 78 questions
Most tested Consequences of exchange rate changes
11 sittings · calculator
Paper 2
38% of marks880 of the 2329 marks in the Economics HL archive were set in Paper 2, across 11 sittings. · 209 questions
Most tested Evaluating development strategies
8 sittings · calculator
Paper 3
20% of marks474 of the 2329 marks in the Economics HL archive were set in Paper 3, across 8 sittings. · 149 questions
Most tested Negative externalities
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 83 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Fixed and managed exchange rates, 2022: 1 question | 3Fixed and managed exchange rates, 2023: 3 questions | 1Fixed and managed exchange rates, 2024: 1 question | 4Fixed and managed exchange rates, 2025: 4 questions | 1Fixed and managed exchange rates, 2026: 1 question | |
| 1Components of the balance of payments, 2022: 1 question | 1Components of the balance of payments, 2023: 1 question | 9Components of the balance of payments, 2024: 9 questions | 4Components of the balance of payments, 2025: 4 questions | 4Components of the balance of payments, 2026: 4 questions | |
| 3Floating exchange rates, 2022: 3 questions | 5Floating exchange rates, 2023: 5 questions | 8Floating exchange rates, 2024: 8 questions | 5Floating exchange rates, 2025: 5 questions | 2Floating exchange rates, 2026: 2 questions | |
| 4Negative externalities, 2022: 4 questions | 2Negative externalities, 2023: 2 questions | 6Negative externalities, 2024: 6 questions | 3Negative externalities, 2025: 3 questions | ·Negative externalities, 2026: 0 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueCalculating PED, YED and XED (HL)· last May 24 P3
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Economics HL exam sessions are covered?
8 exam sessions from 2022 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1, 2 and 3 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 32 papers in this archive.
Which IB Economics HL topic comes up most?
Fixed and managed exchange rates (4.5.2): in 25% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZA. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 7 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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Reading this page and the exam pattern is free. A free account generates three sets of ten questions and launches one practice set. Pro opens every question in any scope, sets of twenty or all, and unlimited practice.
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More Economics HL exam preparation
Every question, by paper
What each Economics HL paper tests across all its sittings: the marks by unit and the micro-topics it keeps coming back to.
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Predicted questions
The question types most likely in the next Economics HL sitting, built from this same archive.
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Formula booklet, explained
Every formula you are given in the exam, with when to use it and the traps around it.
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Mock exams
Full Economics HL papers under timed conditions, marked by AI against IB criteria.
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All IB past papers
Every subject we have classified by topic, with the same exam-pattern analysis.
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