Economics

Across much of the developed world—and increasingly in emerging economies—populations are aging at unprecedented rates. Longer life expectancy combined with declining birth rates is reshaping labor markets, public finances, healthcare systems, and economic growth trajectories. This article explores the causes and consequences of demographic aging, assesses its fiscal and macroeconomic impact, and discusses policy strategies to turn aging from a burden into an opportunity. Global Demographic Trends According to the United Nations, by 2050: 1 in 6 people globally will be over the age of 65 (compared to 1 in 11 in 2019) The number of people aged 80 or older will triple to 426 million Several countries (e.g.,… Read more

As inequality, automation, and inflation reshape the global economic landscape, communities are turning to creative alternatives to traditional currency-based systems. One such model is time banking—a form of reciprocal service exchange where the unit of value is time rather than money. This article explores the origins, mechanics, economic implications, and social benefits of time banking, offering insight into how it challenges conventional economic principles while fostering community resilience. What Is Time Banking?… Read more

Once the domain of Cold War rivalry and government prestige, space exploration is now entering a new economic frontier driven by commercial investment, technological innovation, and global collaboration. From satellite internet to lunar mining, the “space economy” is projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2040. This article explores the economic foundations of space exploration, the rise of private players, funding models, geopolitical implications, and the long-term return on investment of reaching beyond Earth.… Read more

As automation, globalization, and inequality reshape the global labor market, the idea of a Universal Basic Income (UBI)—a regular, unconditional cash payment to all citizens—has gained traction across ideological lines. Advocated by both tech visionaries and social justice movements, UBI proposes a radical shift in how governments support livelihoods. This article examines the economic rationale for UBI, real-world experiments, funding models, criticisms, and its potential to transform the future of work and welfare.… Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered one of the most dramatic shifts in labor markets in modern history: the global rise of remote work. What began as an emergency response evolved into a widespread restructuring of employment practices. This article explores the economics of remote work, assessing productivity trends, impacts on urban real estate and labor mobility, taxation issues, and long-term implications for firms, workers, and governments. Productivity and Firm Performance Contrary to initial fears, remote work has shown neutral to positive effects on productivity in many industries.… Read more

Inflation targeting has become one of the most widely adopted frameworks for monetary policy since its emergence in the early 1990s. Under this approach, central banks commit to maintaining inflation within a specified range—typically around 2%—and use interest rate adjustments as their primary tool. This article examines the theoretical foundation of inflation targeting, reviews its global implementation, analyzes its effectiveness, and discusses its limitations in the context of recent economic shocks.… Read more

The informal economy—comprising economic activities that are legal but not regulated or taxed by the state—accounts for a significant share of employment and output, especially in developing countries. Often described as the “shadow economy,” it includes everything from street vending and home-based work to unregistered businesses and gig labor. This article explores the structure, causes, and consequences of informality, as well as strategies governments are deploying to encourage formalization without undermining livelihoods.… Read more

The United States has amassed a record-high national debt, approaching roughly $35–36 trillion by early 2025. This debt is the sum of all outstanding U.S. Treasury securities – the bedrock instruments of global finance – and it is owed to a wide array of creditors. Broadly, America’s debt is held by domestic entities (including U.S. government accounts, the Federal Reserve, banks, mutual funds, pensions, and individuals) and foreign investors (ranging from foreign governments to international investors).… Read more

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) has emerged as one of the most disruptive innovations in the global financial ecosystem. Built on blockchain technology, DeFi platforms eliminate traditional financial intermediaries, offering peer-to-peer financial services such as lending, trading, and insurance. This article critically examines the theoretical foundations of DeFi, assesses its macroeconomic implications, explores regulatory responses, and evaluates real-world data and case studies from the evolving DeFi landscape. Theoretical Underpinnings and Economic Rationale DeFi is grounded in the principle of disintermediation—removing centralized institutions like banks, brokers, and insurance firms to reduce costs and increase transparency.… Read more