IB Economics SL · 2022 to 2025
Unit 4: The global economy
108 past paper questions from 23 papers across 7 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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SL archive · 2022 to 2025
Unit 4: The global economy
Latest exam session: May 2025
- questions
- 108
- questions
- papers
- 23
- papers
- exam sessions
- 7
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 22
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
2% of marks18 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (2%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
4.2
Types of trade protection
8% of marks57 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (8%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 12 questions
- DueQuotas and subsidies
4.3
Arguments for and against trade control/protection
6% of marks45 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
4.4
Economic integration
6% of marks45 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (6%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 3 questions
4.5
Exchange rates
18% of marks132 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (18%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 27 questions
- DueConsequences of exchange rate changes
4.6
Balance of payments
5% of marks35 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (5%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 18 questions
4.7
Sustainable development
11% of marks81 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (11%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 8 questions
4.8
Measuring development
3% of marks21 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (3%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 4 questions
4.9
Barriers to economic growth and/or economic development
13% of marks98 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (13%) 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
27% of marks199 of the 731 marks across the 23 Economics SL papers analysed (27%) were on this topic. A past-paper pattern, not a guarantee for your next paper. · 18 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 22 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Evaluating development strategies, 2022: 2 questions | 1Evaluating development strategies, 2023: 1 question | 3Evaluating development strategies, 2024: 3 questions | 4Evaluating development strategies, 2025: 4 questions | |
| 2Economic and institutional barriers, 2022: 2 questions | 3Economic and institutional barriers, 2023: 3 questions | 3Economic and institutional barriers, 2024: 3 questions | 2Economic and institutional barriers, 2025: 2 questions | |
| 4Components of the balance of payments, 2022: 4 questions | 4Components of the balance of payments, 2023: 4 questions | 5Components of the balance of payments, 2024: 5 questions | 4Components of the balance of payments, 2025: 4 questions | |
| 1Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2022: 1 question | 1Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2023: 1 question | 3Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2024: 3 questions | 2Interventionist strategies and foreign aid, 2025: 2 questions |
4 more micro-topics with a free account
- DueConsequences of exchange rate changes· last May 24 P2 TZ2
- 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 2025
9 questions across 6 papers
November 2024
4 questions across 3 papers
May 2024
6 questions across 4 papers
November 2023
4 questions across 3 papers
May 2023
4 questions across 3 papers
November 2022
3 questions across 2 papers
May 2022
3 questions across 2 papers
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Economics SL exam sessions are covered for Unit 4: The global economy?
7 exam sessions from 2022 to 2025, the latest May 2025. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 23 papers in this archive.
Which Unit 4: The global economy topic comes up most?
Evaluating development strategies (4.10.3): in 44% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "evaluate", worth about 15 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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