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06.03.2026 11:00
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For a deeper dive into demographic and other fiscal constraints in advanced economies, see our full paper in the National Institute Economic Review.https://buff.ly/FwRJLqx
Population forecasts have failed to capture the decline in births. With every new release since 2010, the UN has revised down its previous forecast. These revisions show that populations are not only ageing, but ageing at an accelerating rate, and faster than previously expected.
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For the first time ever, more UK students are choosing Spanish over French at GCSE
Spanish entries have nearly doubled since 2004, rising from 70k to 137k. French, once the undisputed top language in UK classrooms with 320k entries, has fallen to 133k.
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Higher productivity broadly means higher household incomes across the UK, but not equally so. English regions with a GVA of £30–£40 per hour worked tend to out-earn Scottish regions at similar productivity, suggesting productivity gains don't translate uniformly to living standards.
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Measles cases in the US are surging to levels not seen in decades. By week 9 of 2026, the US has already reported around 1,200 cases, putting this year on pace to blow past 2025's alarming total of 2,200+ cases. A disease we nearly eliminated is making a comeback.
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UK productivity has stagnated since 2008, but the story varies by sector. From 2019 to 2025, sectors like IT increased productivity per worker, while the Finance and Insurance sector became less productive per worker. The net effect is slow productivity growth at just 2.8%.
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Four years in, Russia's invasion extends far beyond Ukraine's borders. European nations are rearming at pace, procurement is being rethought, and conscription is back in the conversation. Read more👇 buff.ly/zm0hg00
Looking ahead: nearly six million Ukrainians have been displaced worldwide. In the UK, 68% now say they'd like to stay even if it becomes safe to return – up from 52% the year before. What does this mean for post-war reconstruction?
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Despite facing unprecedented sanctions on its energy exports, Russia continues to earn hundreds of billions from oil and gas – directly funding the war. Loopholes, shadow fleets, and hesitancy over energy prices have all played a role.
By Benjamin Hilgenstock buff.ly/Zcg9VrR
At the three-year mark, Erika Szyszczak assessed the West's sanctions on Russia: unprecedented in scope, but unilateral and piecemeal. Evasion and trade deflection through third countries continued to limit their impact. buff.ly/Z0boc8N
Four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What have we learned about the economics dimensions of the war?
A thread on sanctions, energy, and what comes next 🧵👇
This week at the Economics Observatory, we explore issues around falling fertility and ageing populations – from why people in rich countries are having fewer children to the global economic consequences, and how demographic factors such as age shape wellbeing.
Research evidence suggests that the Brexit referendum had uneven social consequences. Younger people from ethnic minorities living in areas of the country with stronger support for Leave experienced a deterioration in their mental health after the vote. 👇
🔗 Visit our Data Hub to explore and create your own charts. buff.ly/eDsTE4E
This week at the Economics Observatory, we explore issues around falling fertility and ageing populations – from why people in rich countries are having fewer children to the global economic consequences, and how demographic factors such as age shape wellbeing. buff.ly/r4utsYR
Global fertility has fallen to around 2.25 births per woman in 2023, down from around five in the mid-20th century.
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JUST PUBLISHED – Baby Bust
This week at the Economics Observatory, we explore issues around falling fertility and ageing populations – from why people in rich countries are having fewer children to the global economic consequences, and how demographic factors such as age shape wellbeing.
NEW on the Economics Observatory – How did Brexit affect the mental health of ethnic minority youth?
By @valediiasio.bsky.social @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social
JUST PUBLISHED – How did Brexit affect the mental health of ethnic minority youth?
By @valediiasio.bsky.social @corradogiulietti.bsky.social & @jackiewahba.bsky.social
Fertility rates have fallen rapidly in the UK and other high-income countries in recent years. Education, economic uncertainty and changing gender roles are among the factors that have played a part. Keeping the combination of causes in mind is essential for designing effective policy responses.
TODAY on the Economics Observatory – Population ageing and decline: what policies might mitigate the downsides?
By Amanda Hill-Dixon
NEW on the Economics Observatory– From costs to culture: what’s behind falling fertility in rich countries?
By @ann-berrington.bsky.social & Hill Kulu
More than two-thirds of humanity now live in countries where fertility has fallen below the level needed for a stable population. This demographic shift is transforming economies, raising questions about ageing populations, shrinking workforces and the sustainability of welfare states. 🔎👇
