Global inequality is one of the biggest economic issues facing the world today. Global wealth is now thousands of times what it has been for the vast majority of human history, and yet a lot of that wealth is being hoarded by a smaller and smaller group of people. We were lucky enough to speak to Francisco Ferreira from the London School of Economics, an expert on global inequality and its impacts on developing countries, which have the potential to be the economic powerhouses of the future.

Global inequality is one of the biggest economic issues facing the world today. Global wealth is now thousands of times what it has been for the vast majority of human history, and yet a lot of that wealth is being hoarded by a smaller and smaller group of people. We were lucky enough to speak to Francisco Ferreira from the London School of Economics, an expert on global inequality and its impacts on developing countries, which have the potential to be the economic powerhouses of the future.

Global Inequality - Interview with Francisco Ferreira (London School of Economics)

Indonesia's economy has been growing rapidly, and thanks to a younger population it could be on track to become one of the biggest economies in the world. There are a few things holding Indonesia back, such as Jakarta sinking into the ocean, but with their natural resource wealth and access to the world's oceans, it could become a huge player in making the goods we all use every day.

Indonesia's economy has been growing rapidly, and thanks to a younger population it could be on track to become one of the biggest economies in the world. There are a few things holding Indonesia back, such as Jakarta sinking into the ocean, but with their natural resource wealth and access to the world's oceans, it could become a huge player in making the goods we all use every day.

Indonesia: The Fastest Growing Major Economy In The World

Despite Mexico's strategic advantages and booming manufacturing sector due to global trade shifts, they haven't taken opportunities to replace China as a major manufacturer for the US. What factors stifle Mexico's growth and are there drawbacks to its proximity to the US? 

Despite Mexico's strategic advantages and booming manufacturing sector due to global trade shifts, they haven't taken opportunities to replace China as a major manufacturer for the US. What factors stifle Mexico's growth and are there drawbacks to its proximity to the US?

Mexico, The Economic Miracle That Never Happened

When people think of Taiwan, they mostly think of tensions with China and the fact that Taiwan is a major manufacturing centre for the world's semiconductors. But Taiwan's leaders actually made some big bets decades ago that are paying off now, with a GDP per capita roughly 3 times that of mainland China. 

When people think of Taiwan, they mostly think of tensions with China and the fact that Taiwan is a major manufacturing centre for the world's semiconductors. But Taiwan's leaders actually made some big bets decades ago that are paying off now, with a GDP per capita roughly 3 times that of mainland China.

Taiwan is More Than Microchips and Tensions With China

The global wealth disparity has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic, and there is a concentration of wealth among the top 1.2% of people. We explore factors causing inequality, the role of debt, and finding an optimal level of inequality (because you do need some).

The global wealth disparity has been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic, and there is a concentration of wealth among the top 1.2% of people. We explore factors causing inequality, the role of debt, and finding an optimal level of inequality (because you do need some).

Why Inequality Starts Becoming A Problem Now

Jason Furman

Global debt has now topped $300 trillion USD, or three times total global economic output.  This is a number that is going to have very real consequences for billions of people around the world, but as scary as the number sounds there is still reason to be optimistic and there are still reasons why most economists handling this issue are not too worried just yet.  To help us understand this issue in the course of our research we were lucky enough to speak to Dr. Jason Furman an economics professor at Harvard University and a former economic policy director for the Obama Administration.  His understanding of an issue as large as global debt is truly valuable not only because of his impressive academic background but also because he is one of only a handful of people in the world that has ever had their hands on the proverbial controls of economic policy at this scale. 

Global debt has now topped $300 trillion USD, or three times total global economic output. This is a number that is going to have very real consequences for billions of people around the world, but as scary as the number sounds there is still reason to be optimistic and there are still reasons why most economists handling this issue are not too worried just yet. To help us understand this issue in the course of our research we were lucky enough to speak to Dr. Jason Furman an economics professor at Harvard University and a former economic policy director for the Obama Administration. His understanding of an issue as large as global debt is truly valuable not only because of his impressive academic background but also because he is one of only a handful of people in the world that has ever had their hands on the proverbial controls of economic policy at this scale.

Global Wealth and Global Debt - Interview with Jason Furman (Harvard University)

Is the global debt of over $300 trillion really a problem? And does debt for the global economy work in a different way from debt on an individual level? In this video we'll explain who holds all the debt that countries and businesses owe, and whether this will be a big problem in the near future.

Is the global debt of over $300 trillion really a problem? And does debt for the global economy work in a different way from debt on an individual level? In this video we'll explain who holds all the debt that countries and businesses owe, and whether this will be a big problem in the near future.

What Everyone Gets Wrong About Global Debt | Economics Explained

This is a fantastic interview with Prof. Billari (Bocconi University) about education. A better educated economy is usually better, all things being equal, but issues like student debt, skills misalignment, migration and brain drain can put a lot of pressure on an economy.

This is a fantastic interview with Prof. Billari (Bocconi University) about education. A better educated economy is usually better, all things being equal, but issues like student debt, skills misalignment, migration and brain drain can put a lot of pressure on an economy.

Are We Overeducated? Economics Explained Interview with Prof. Billari (Bocconi University) 

Education is rightly seen as one of the best ways to develop a country’s economy, as more productive workers can create better living standards for everyone. But is there a limit to the benefits of education and should countries be wary of this double-edged sword?

Education is rightly seen as one of the best ways to develop a country’s economy, as more productive workers can create better living standards for everyone. But is there a limit to the benefits of education and should countries be wary of this double-edged sword?

Why More Education Is Not Always Better For The Economy

The US has had a much greater level of growth than the EU in the past decade despite the pandemic and Europe having a large collection of advanced economies with highly educated populations. Why is Europe always lagging behind?

The US has had a much greater level of growth than the EU in the past decade despite the pandemic and Europe having a large collection of advanced economies with highly educated populations. Why is Europe always lagging behind?

Why Is Europe's Economy Always Lagging Behind The United States?

On Economics Explained, we take a look at interesting countries, policies, and decisions from the point of view of an economist. The world is an interesting place and we hope to uncover some of this intrigue in our short, informative podcasts.

Tuvalu is a tiny island nation confronting existential threats. Rising sea levels jeopardize its sparse population and limited economy. As the nation becomes inhabitable, this video will explore what the economy of Tuvalu is reliant upon, and the measures to save it.

Tuvalu is a tiny island nation confronting existential threats. Rising sea levels jeopardize its sparse population and limited economy. As the nation becomes inhabitable, this video will explore what the economy of Tuvalu is reliant upon, and the measures to save it.

The World's Smallest National Economy Will Soon Disappear

North Korea, the most closed-off country on earth. This Asian nation is often the center of intense scrutiny for its aggressive displays of militarism, its internationally condemned nuclear program, and of course its oppressive government dictatorship. A 2014 report by the united nations concluded that the gravity, scale, and nature of these human rights violations does not have any parallel In the contemporary world. What they are ashamed of though, is something that all these media spectacles help to distract from and that is their incredibly small and pathetic economy.Beyond the dramatic chest-beating and despite all of the opportunities this country has been given it has dwindled into complete economic obscurity and in this video we are going to explore why.

North Korea, the most closed-off country on earth. This Asian nation is often the center of intense scrutiny for its aggressive displays of militarism, its internationally condemned nuclear program, and of course its oppressive government dictatorship. A 2014 report by the united nations concluded that the gravity, scale, and nature of these human rights violations does not have any parallel In the contemporary world. What they are ashamed of though, is something that all these media spectacles help to distract from and that is their incredibly small and pathetic economy. Beyond the dramatic chest-beating and despite all of the opportunities this country has been given it has dwindled into complete economic obscurity and in this video we are going to explore why.

The Pathetic Economy Of North Korea

Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) companies are big businesses around the world and they have rightfully attracted much criticism for questionable business practice. Many have called them illegal pyramid schemes, but today these companies continue to operate in most developed countries around the world and rake in billions of dollars in profit in any given year all with the blessing of local trade authorities.So, what are these businesses? Let's park personal opinions on how annoying it is to be roped into one of these MLM meetings for the moment and assess the fundamental economics behind this business model.

Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) companies are big businesses around the world and they have rightfully attracted much criticism for questionable business practice. Many have called them illegal pyramid schemes, but today these companies continue to operate in most developed countries around the world and rake in billions of dollars in profit in any given year all with the blessing of local trade authorities. So, what are these businesses? Let's park personal opinions on how annoying it is to be roped into one of these MLM meetings for the moment and assess the fundamental economics behind this business model.

The Bitter Economics of MLM

Japan became the first of the modern Asian countries to experience massive sustained economic growth. Japan had a lot going for it after the end of the war, it was able to rebuild with the help of the allies and go through its own modern industrial revolution. In the 1960s, Japan was growing at a rate of 10% a year which for a national economy was unheard of at the time, this economic growth continued and japan was able to ride the wave of globalization as the world's low-cost manufacturer. Japan developed a huge car industry, it was at the forefront of consumer electronics and was working meticulously to make sure that this newfound wealth was being invested wisely into infrastructure like high-speed rail, airports and metro systems that would make their economy even more efficient. At its peak, there was so much wealth in japan that the real estate market of Tokyo had some pretty crazy anomalies. In the late 80’s it was estimated that the imperial palace covering an area of 3.4 square kilometers in central Tokyo had a real estate land value greater than all of the real estate in California. Of course, the imperial palace was never for sale and this was based on the cost per square feet in the area but it still should give a good idea of just how much money was washing around in Japan. In this video, we will look at how this all went so wrong and what it can tell us about countries that are today where japan was 40 years ago.

Japan became the first of the modern Asian countries to experience massive sustained economic growth. Japan had a lot going for it after the end of the war, it was able to rebuild with the help of the allies and go through its own modern industrial revolution. In the 1960s, Japan was growing at a rate of 10% a year which for a national economy was unheard of at the time, this economic growth continued and japan was able to ride the wave of globalization as the world's low-cost manufacturer. Japan developed a huge car industry, it was at the forefront of consumer electronics and was working meticulously to make sure that this newfound wealth was being invested wisely into infrastructure like high-speed rail, airports and metro systems that would make their economy even more efficient. At its peak, there was so much wealth in japan that the real estate market of Tokyo had some pretty crazy anomalies. In the late 80’s it was estimated that the imperial palace covering an area of 3.4 square kilometers in central Tokyo had a real estate land value greater than all of the real estate in California. Of course, the imperial palace was never for sale and this was based on the cost per square feet in the area but it still should give a good idea of just how much money was washing around in Japan. In this video, we will look at how this all went so wrong and what it can tell us about countries that are today where japan was 40 years ago.

Japan: The Fading Economy

Bill Benter, is a reserved unassuming and media-shy Pittsburg resident who made almost 1 billion dollars by gambling on horse races.The man was a mathematical genius who was on the cutting edge of both computer science and statistical modeling so it is widely assumed with his business knowledge that he could have made money just about anywhere, in a rare interview when asked about his success in horse racing he said: “I was driven only partly by money, I believe I probably could have made more money in finance, but that didn’t interest me, I didn’t get into professional horse racing because it was hard, but because it was said to be impossible”

Bill Benter, is a reserved unassuming and media-shy Pittsburg resident who made almost 1 billion dollars by gambling on horse races. The man was a mathematical genius who was on the cutting edge of both computer science and statistical modeling so it is widely assumed with his business knowledge that he could have made money just about anywhere, in a rare interview when asked about his success in horse racing he said: “I was driven only partly by money, I believe I probably could have made more money in finance, but that didn’t interest me, I didn’t get into professional horse racing because it was hard, but because it was said to be impossible”

How This Man Profited $1 Billion Betting on Hong Kong Horse Races

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the world's poorest country, with a large majority of its 70 million citizens living in absolute poverty. For a long time, poverty in Africa has been seen as a purely humanitarian issue. But could the answer just be good economic management? Unfortunately, this situation has an obvious solution that is impossible to attain.Poverty is a thorny issue to deal with. Still, in this video, we'll attempt to explore some of the fundamental causes of this poverty and see how they impact the Congo's fragile economy.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the world's poorest country, with a large majority of its 70 million citizens living in absolute poverty. For a long time, poverty in Africa has been seen as a purely humanitarian issue. But could the answer just be good economic management? Unfortunately, this situation has an obvious solution that is impossible to attain. Poverty is a thorny issue to deal with. Still, in this video, we'll attempt to explore some of the fundamental causes of this poverty and see how they impact the Congo's fragile economy.

The Economics of Poverty

India is soon to be home to the largest population of citizens on the planet. And as of 2014, the nation will also hold the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the world (stealing the title from the slower-growing economy of China).This country has had an amazing journey to get to where it is today. And with the right political governance, it's very likely to become one of the world's most powerful economies very soon. But, it's not quite there yet. And in GDP terms, India's collective economy is still smaller than that of California.And while poverty is a very prevalent problem, India's certainly on the up and up. Throughout the past two decades, it has seen unbelievable levels of growth that has, among other things, pulled hundreds of millions of its citizens out of poverty

India is soon to be home to the largest population of citizens on the planet. And as of 2014, the nation will also hold the title of the fastest-growing major economy in the world (stealing the title from the slower-growing economy of China). This country has had an amazing journey to get to where it is today. And with the right political governance, it's very likely to become one of the world's most powerful economies very soon. But, it's not quite there yet. And in GDP terms, India's collective economy is still smaller than that of California. And while poverty is a very prevalent problem, India's certainly on the up and up. Throughout the past two decades, it has seen unbelievable levels of growth that has, among other things, pulled hundreds of millions of its citizens out of poverty

India: The Next Economic Superpower

Monaco is the wealthiest nation in the world per capita. It's also the country with by far the highest average age of citizens. It has the highest cost of land of any country in the world, it pretty much breaks any kind of list you want to make ranking countries cause you can pretty much bet that this 2 square kilometer spit of land off the south of France is going to win any economic top ten list out there. So, what is really going on with the economy of Monaco?Most people know it as a playground for the rich and famous, a parking garage for superyachts, a glorified formula 1 track, a country built around a casino, and above all else, a tax haven. But is this criticism really fair? ... let's explore in today's video!

Monaco is the wealthiest nation in the world per capita. It's also the country with by far the highest average age of citizens. It has the highest cost of land of any country in the world, it pretty much breaks any kind of list you want to make ranking countries cause you can pretty much bet that this 2 square kilometer spit of land off the south of France is going to win any economic top ten list out there. So, what is really going on with the economy of Monaco? Most people know it as a playground for the rich and famous, a parking garage for superyachts, a glorified formula 1 track, a country built around a casino, and above all else, a tax haven. But is this criticism really fair? ... let's explore in today's video!

The Crazy Economy of Monaco

As of this writing, there are between 186 and 192 countries worldwide (depending on who you ask).In this less-than-serious video, we look at the 50 largest nations and see what makes their economies tick.

As of this writing, there are between 186 and 192 countries worldwide (depending on who you ask). In this less-than-serious video, we look at the 50 largest nations and see what makes their economies tick.

The World's Top Economies in 9 Minutes

The automation economy is here and it's essential to understand what our future will look like in a world where we may not have the ability to work in order to provide for ourselves.We will look at what reputable economists have hypothesized our future and the underlying economics behind these realities.

The automation economy is here and it's essential to understand what our future will look like in a world where we may not have the ability to work in order to provide for ourselves. We will look at what reputable economists have hypothesized our future and the underlying economics behind these realities.

The Economics of Automation: What Does Our Machine Future Look Like?

Economics Explained

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!