This has been a turbulent year in terms of economic news. With many transitions of leadership across the world, from elections in the UK and the US to new leaders being named in Vietnam and Senegal, the economy has followed suit in its many fluctuations and uncertainties over 2024. Harbingers’ young journalists have dared to explore daunting global topics, such as the impacts of AI on the job market, and also focused down on the smallest of economic events, such as the rise of young female entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan.

This year’s writers not only provided both breadth and depth of coverage, but added their own unique and valuable takes on so many stories. Without further ado, as editor of the Economics section, here is my pick of the must-read articles from 2024, in chronological order.

Shining a spotlight on the G77 (a coalition of 130-plus countries in the Global South) and their most recent South Summit, Sofiya Suleimenova explains how the current geopolitical climate deprioritises the development of the vast majority of the world’s population. The piece outlines the crucial strategies for the development of the 80% of the global population represented by the G77.

The Covid-19 pandemic re-emphasised the importance of vaccination in modern medicine. In her piece, Ananya Prasanna discusses the ethical question of whether pharmaceutical conglomerates such as Pfizer should make a profit from such devastation. Exposing the profit-driven nature of many of Pfizer’s decisions, she explains and analyses the basic economic principles behind such actions, but also the human consequence of corporate greed.

Although nuclear energy plays an increasingly crucial role in the global energy system, many people don’t fully understand its risks or its benefits. Erin Walshaw demystifies some of the science behind nuclear power and explains how it could be part of the solution to the energy crisis.

2024 has seen consumerist fads and marketing gimmicks spread to every corner of the internet. In a society in which we are constantly encouraged to buy, consume and discard, Maria’s scathing critique of microtrends investigates social media marketing techniques, buzzwords and hyper-niche aesthetics, and reminds us to be mindful in our spending.

Tiny gadgets known as superconductors have become key to the ever-expanding tech industry that underpins much of the global economy. Meanwhile, tensions between China and semiconductor giant Taiwan escalate. Noah Saphier explains why there is trouble in the Taiwan Strait, and the implications of a potential conflict on supply chains. An essential read if you want to understand the possibilities of our very uncertain economic future.

With news stories from every corner of the globe informing and educating the audience of Harbingers’ on constantly fluctuating economic news, it has been a tremendous year for the Economics section. Although I could only choose five pieces, any article that has been published this year deserves a spot in this round-up. I can only hope that 2025 will be a similarly splendid year for our amazingly talented and dedicated writers.