Understanding the real world through economics
World Young Economist (WYE) is a non-profit writing and research community that runs an international economics essay competition for high school students, undergraduates and self-taught peers worldwide. It starts from real questions and builds evidence-based, independent judgement through writing, research, discussion and publication — and the first essay is free to enter.
Six ways in
Each one stands alone. There is no required order, and no need to register first.
One common path
Not a required sequenceThis is one common way students grow within WYE. Every stage is optional: an account is not a prerequisite for entering the competition, submitting work, reading the open resources or joining any other programme. You can start anywhere.
Beyond the competition
Most student competitions end with a result. WYE begins with a question.
We care about the real world rather than textbook recall, about evidence and argument rather than jargon, and about long-term growth rather than a certificate. Students write, receive feedback, develop research, submit strong work for publication review, and take part in a community of young economic thinkers.
Three competition levels and where the work is published
From real-world economic commentary to special-topic research and full independent papers. Every level can be entered directly — there is no ladder to climb — and competition results are independent of publication decisions.
| LEVEL | What you write | Length and language | Timing | Published in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVEL 1Real-world economic commentary | Answer the annual official prompt with an original, evidence-based argument | ≤ 2,000 words · English | Prompt released 17 Aug Submissions close 5 Oct Results early Dec |
Economic Commentary |
| LEVEL 2Special Topic Research Award | Explain one specific economic phenomenon with data and evidence | No fixed word limit · English | Rolling submission year-round Feedback on the 27th of each month |
Special Issues |
| LEVEL 3Independent Research Paper Award | A complete independent research paper with methods and data documented | Full paper · English | Competition version due early February Team revisions completed by May |
Working Paper Series |
Every level can be entered directly, with no need to progress through them in order; competition results and publication decisions are independent.
Three shelves: practice, the field, and the journal
Interactive open readings compiled and published by WYE editors and volunteers.Students and volunteers can join in, take charge of a topic, or propose and edit one of their own.
Hover to pull a book off the shelf · click to open
If a reading will not open (broken link, failed load, or you need it offline), you can register a WYE account and download the archived copy from the forum library, then report the exact page in the matching thread.
From a first publication to graduate applications and career choices.
History of thought, models and the map of the discipline — one set of coordinates.
A journal-style series, expanded issue by issue: crises, Nobel models, student features.
Mentoring and funding
Turn an interest into an answerable research question, with guidance on literature, data, methods and writing.
Reviewed independently on financial need and research readiness; competition results can support priority routing but are never a precondition.
Research showcases, talks, posters and independently reviewed publication — for all three competition levels and for independent researchers.
Six publication directions
The WYE publication pathway is open to young economic writers at every stage and in every format. Start from a competition essay, an explainer, a current issue, a social question or a data analysis; strengthen evidence, logic and expression through editorial feedback and revision; publish the work when it is ready.
School chapters and project roles
Start or join a school chapter, or take part in WYE through an editorial, research, events, resources or communications role. Every role has defined responsibilities, a named lead and a real record, and is filled through an independent application and review.
Open resources and guides
Learn how to turn a broad interest into a focused question, move from opinion to reliable evidence, and develop a first draft into responsible economic analysis.
Browse the resourcesWhat visitors asked for, and what we did
Every suggestion is published one by one, including the ones we have not dealt with yet. Anyone can write on the wall directly, with no account; we check each note, pin it publicly, and write out what we did about it.
Three ways to take the next step.
Whether you are writing a first economics essay, developing an independent research project, or looking to join a school chapter or project team, WYE offers several starting points and many ways to keep growing.