IB Economics HL · 2022 to 2025
Unit 2: Microeconomics
141 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
Unit 2: Microeconomics
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 141
- questions
- papers
- 32
- papers
- exam sessions
- 8
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 34
Topics in Unit 2: Microeconomics
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
2.1
Demand
0% of marks2 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (0%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 1 question
2.2
Supply
2% of marks12 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (2%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
2.3
Competitive market equilibrium
4% of marks27 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (4%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 11 questions
2.4
Critique of maximizing behaviour of consumers and producers
8% of marks50 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (8%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 9 questions
2.5
Elasticity of demand
16% of marks103 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (16%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 25 questions
- DueCalculating PED, YED and XED (HL)
- RisingPrice elasticity of demand (PED)
2.6
Elasticity of supply
2% of marks14 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (2%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
2.7
Role of government in microeconomics
14% of marks92 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (14%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 25 questions
- DueSubsidies
2.8
Market failure: externalities and common pool resources
21% of marks136 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (21%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 26 questions
- RisingPositive externalities
2.10
Market failure: asymmetric information
3% of marks17 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (3%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 2 questions
2.11
Market failure: market power
29% of marks193 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (29%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 32 questions
- DueConsequences and policy responses
- DueMonopoly analysis (HL)
2.12
The market’s inability to achieve equity
2% of marks16 of the 662 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (2%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
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 34 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 1Positive externalities, 2022: 1 question | ·Positive externalities, 2023: 0 questions | 1Positive externalities, 2024: 1 question | 4Positive externalities, 2025: 4 questions | ·Positive externalities, 2026: 0 questions | |
2.7.1Price controls | 2Price controls, 2022: 2 questions | 3Price controls, 2023: 3 questions | 1Price controls, 2024: 1 question | 2Price controls, 2025: 2 questions | 1Price controls, 2026: 1 question |
| ·Price elasticity of demand (PED), 2022: 0 questions | 2Price elasticity of demand (PED), 2023: 2 questions | 1Price elasticity of demand (PED), 2024: 1 question | 1Price elasticity of demand (PED), 2025: 1 question | 3Price elasticity of demand (PED), 2026: 3 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueCalculating PED, YED and XED (HL)· last May 24 P3
- Risingappearing more often in the last two years than before
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Unit 2: Microeconomics, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 2: Microeconomics, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2026
3 questions across 2 papers
May 2025
11 questions across 7 papers
November 2024
5 questions across 4 papers
May 2024
8 questions across 5 papers
November 2023
5 questions across 4 papers
May 2023
5 questions across 4 papers
November 2022
4 questions across 3 papers
May 2022
5 questions across 3 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Economics HL exam sessions are covered for Unit 2: Microeconomics?
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 Unit 2: Microeconomics topic comes up most?
Negative externalities (2.8.1): in 38% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "explain / justify", worth about 7.8 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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