26.05.2025
The Economics Olympiad has experienced strong growth in recent years. More and more young people with an interest in economics are taking part in the first round - last year, there were over 370. This encouraging development also presents us with new challenges: The previous format, in which the best twelve young people are invited to the final round directly after the first round, is reaching its limits. We are therefore introducing a second round in the coming school year, which will change the timing of the first round.
The new second round has two key objectives: Firstly, we want to offer committed young people more opportunities for further development. In the past, many talented participants did not receive additional opportunities after the first round, even though they showed interest and potential. With the new second round, we are creating an additional space for cool experiences, learning opportunities and personal exchanges with other curious young people.
Secondly, a second round on site will ensure greater fairness in the competition. In the first round, which continues to take place online, it is difficult to ensure that no cheating takes place. The intermediate round enables us to assess the best participants under equal conditions and thus create a reliable basis for selecting the finalists.
The best 50 participants in the first round will now qualify for the second round. This is a one-day event, which is held centrally at a single location. The Top 12 will have the opportunity to take part in the Innovation Camp and the final round and may qualify to represent Switzerland at the International Economics Olympiad.
Due to the new second round, the online first round will be shifted to the fall. It will start in September and will be open for one month. The new second round will follow at the end of November, while the remaining events, the Innovation Camp and the National Final, will remain in April and May as before.
The Economics Olympiad will remain a platform for all young people who are interested in economic topics - regardless of whether they have economics as a school subject or not. The competition remains free, open and accessible. As before, the first round can be completed flexibly online during a specified time window, either in class or individually at home.
Teachers continue to play a central role: they motivate their students to take part in the first round, they may help them prepare and register entire classes for the first round.
The new second round creates additional motivation - especially for those who want to exchange ideas and compete with like-minded people. At the same time, this change will strengthen the integrity of the competition and the validity of the results.
We look forward to an exciting new chapter for the Economics Olympiad - and to seeing many familiar and new faces in the coming Olympiad year! The first round 2025/2026 will start in September 2025.
