If you’re a high school student into economics, competitions are a great way to sharpen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, and many come with prestigious awards. Here are ten top economics competitions for high schoolers: what each involves, who can enter, and what’s at stake. Dates and rules change year to year, so confirm the current details with each.
1. National Economics Challenge (NEC)
Description: Run by the Council for Economic Education, the NEC is one of the most recognized economics competitions in the US. Teams are tested on microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, and current events, through regional, state, and national rounds.
Eligibility: US high school students in teams of 3-4, with beginner and advanced divisions.
Prize: Scholarships for national winners, trophies, and a trip to the national finals.
2. International Economics Olympiad (IEO)
Description: The IEO brings together students from around the world to compete in economics, finance, and business challenges. Participants take rigorous individual tests and work through team case studies on real-world economic issues.
Eligibility: High school students selected through their country’s national qualifying competition.
Prize: Gold, silver, and bronze medals for top scorers, plus networking with peers from over 40 countries.
3. European Economics Olympiad (EEO)
Description: Like the IEO, the EEO tests economics knowledge, financial literacy, and critical thinking through case studies and examinations.
Eligibility: High school students from European countries, selected through national competitions.
Prize: Certificates of excellence, medals, and recognition at the European level.
4. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Description: Hosted by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, this competition is for students interested in financial markets and investing. Teams build and manage a mock investment portfolio around a client’s goals.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, in teams of 4-7.
Prize: Top teams are invited to present at Wharton’s campus in Philadelphia, with awards for performance and strategy.
5. Harvard International Economics Essay Contest
Description: Run by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association, this annual essay contest asks students to think critically about pressing economic issues, often around policy, global economics, and economic theory.
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, with no prior economics experience required.
Prize: Cash prizes for the top essays, certificates, and feedback from Harvard students.
6. John Locke Institute Economics Essay Competition
Description: The Economics category of the John Locke Institute essay competition asks students to write a clear, well-argued essay on a challenging economic question. Past prompts have covered globalization, inequality, and innovation.
Eligibility: Students under 19, writing individually.
Prize: Scholarships toward John Locke Institute programmes (US$5,000 for the economics category winner; US$10,000 for the best overall essay), plus an invitation to the academic conference and awards dinner in London.
7. Economics for Leaders (EFL) Program
Description: EFL pairs economics education with leadership training, applying economic thinking to policy problems through workshops and expert-led discussions.
Eligibility: Mainly US high school juniors and seniors, with some international slots.
Prize: Certificates of completion and scholarships for standout participants.
8. EconOlympiad
Description: EconOlympiad focuses on the practical application of microeconomics and macroeconomics through case studies, exams, and team challenges.
Eligibility: High school students.
Prize: Trophies, medals, and a path to international events.
9. National Personal Finance Challenge (NPFC)
Description: Also run by the Council for Economic Education, the NPFC tests students’ grasp of earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit, and protecting against risk, through online qualifying quizzes and a live final.
Eligibility: US high school students in teams of 3-4.
Prize: Cash prizes and scholarships for top teams, plus a trip to the national finals.
10. Marshall Society Essay Competition (Cambridge)
Description: Hosted by the Marshall Society, the University of Cambridge’s economics society (founded in 1927), this competition asks students to tackle a thought-provoking economic question. Essays are judged on the logic and persuasiveness of the argument, the quality of evidence, and originality.
Eligibility: Pre-university students worldwide.
Prize: Cash prizes for the top essays, with winning essays published in the society’s magazine, The Dismal Scientist.
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- Compete page: region-specific guidance for the International Science & Engineering Fair (ISEF).
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