Championship guide · Economics and finance · High school
International Economics Olympiad (IEO)
An annual olympiad for high school students in economics, finance and business. Countries select their teams through national competitions, and the international round combines written tests with a business case presented to judges.
- National selection first
- Teams of up to five per country
- Free to take part
At a glance
- Economics, finance and business
- National selection first
- Tests plus a live business case
- Free to take part
About the championship
What students actually do
The IEO has three parts: a finance and economics test of 40 multiple-choice questions, a set of five open questions (four are graded, chosen by the student), and a business case presented in English to a panel of judges.
Students cannot apply directly to the international round. Each country runs its own selection, so the first step is to find your national olympiad or the organisation that sends your country’s team. The 2026 Olympiad was held in Shenzhen, China, with 54 countries and territories.
Key facts
The olympiad at a glance
The organiser has not yet listed 2027 dates or the host city on its home page.
Sources: International Economics Olympiad. Checked 6 November 2026. Always confirm dates and rules on the official site.
Preparation with IFA
How we help students get ready
Live coaching built around what this competition rewards: sound concepts, structured thinking and practice under time pressure.
Core concepts
The economics, finance and business ideas the questions are built on, explained simply.
Structured problem solving
Breaking a complex problem into steps and choosing the best solution with clear criteria.
Timed practice
Past-style questions under exam conditions, with worked solutions.
Presenting a case
Turning analysis into a clear recommendation and defending it under questions.
Not sure this is the right competition?
In a free 30-minute Readiness Assessment, a founder meets your child and you, and sends a written plan within 24 hours. If another competition, or none yet, is a better fit, we will say so.
Questions
What parents ask
How does my child get into the IEO?
Is it only economics theory?
What if our country does not take part?
Is IFA connected to the organisers?
International Finance Academy is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the International Economics Olympiad or any national selection body. Competition names are used only to describe the events we help students prepare for.