IB Economics HL · 2022 to 2025
Unit 4: The global economy
154 past paper questions from 31 papers across 8 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · 2022 to 2026
Unit 4: The global economy
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 154
- questions
- papers
- 31
- papers
- exam sessions
- 8
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 23
Topics in Unit 4: The global economy
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of the marks each one carries.
4.1
Benefits of international trade
5% of marks52 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (5%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
- DueFree trade benefits and the terms of trade
4.2
Types of trade protection
7% of marks64 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (7%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 17 questions
- RisingQuotas and subsidies
4.3
Arguments for and against trade control/protection
0% of marks4 of the 962 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
4.4
Economic integration
10% of marks93 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (10%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 9 questions
4.5
Exchange rates
26% of marks254 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (26%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 43 questions
4.6
Balance of payments
8% of marks81 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (8%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 25 questions
- RisingCurrent account imbalances and corrective policies
4.7
Sustainable development
12% of marks115 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (12%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
4.8
Measuring development
1% of marks11 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (1%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 5 questions
- RisingComposite indicators and the HDI
4.9
Barriers to economic growth and/or economic development
7% of marks64 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (7%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 11 questions
4.10
Economic growth and/or economic development strategies
23% of marks224 of the 962 marks across the 32 Economics HL papers analysed (23%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 23 questions
- RisingEvaluating development strategies
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 23 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 | |
| 1Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2022: 1 question | 5Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2023: 5 questions | 4Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2024: 4 questions | 2Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2025: 2 questions | 1Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2026: 1 question |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueFree trade benefits and the terms of trade· last Nov 24 P3
- Dueusually examined, but missing from the last two exam sessions
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Questions on Unit 4: The global economy, by exam session
Which papers asked about Unit 4: The global economy, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2026
4 questions across 2 papers
May 2025
10 questions across 6 papers
November 2024
6 questions across 4 papers
May 2024
8 questions across 5 papers
November 2023
6 questions across 4 papers
May 2023
5 questions across 4 papers
November 2022
5 questions across 3 papers
May 2022
4 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 4: The global economy?
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 31 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 4: The global economy 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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