Economics 0455
Explore scarcity, markets, government policy and international trade. Use economic models and evidence to explain decisions and their consequences.
What you'll cover
- The basic economic problem
- The allocation of resources
- Microeconomic decision-makers
- Government and the macroeconomy
- Economic development
- International trade and globalisation
Published syllabus exam years: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029. Confirm exam-series and centre availability with your school and Cambridge.
Cambridge IGCSE Economics 0455 syllabus map
Version 1
36 of 36 sections have teaching and practice
Start the learning pathwayStudy options and assessment
Cambridge IGCSE Economics 0455 · 2027–2029 Version 1. All 36 syllabus sections are mapped to original lessons. The separate 2026 syllabus and 2023–2025 syllabus are not covered by this route. Open-ended evaluation is self-checked rather than Cambridge-graded; official timed-paper readiness and human teacher review remain pending. Exams are available in June and November, and in March for schools in India; confirm the applicable exam series with your centre.
The 2026 and 2023–2025 syllabus versions remain separate and are not mapped in this course.
Choose your paper route
- Paper 1 · Multiple Choice1 hour · 40 marks · 30%
40 compulsory questions across the subject content; calculations and diagram analysis may be included. Externally assessed.
- Paper 2 · Structured Questions2 hours · 80 marks · 70%
One compulsory data-response question in Section A and three questions from a choice of four in Section B. Externally assessed.
View syllabus coverage
The A*–G route is distinct from 0987 (grades 9–1). Both examination papers are externally assessed: Paper 1 multiple choice (1 hour, 40 marks, 30%) and Paper 2 structured questions (2 hours, 80 marks, 70%). Practice here is original and does not reproduce official papers or award Cambridge grades.
Topic 1 · The basic economic problem
- The nature of the basic economic problem1.1
- Factors of production1.2
- Opportunity cost1.3
- Production possibility curve (PPC) diagrams1.4
Topic 2 · The allocation of resources
- The role of markets in allocating resources2.1
- Demand2.2
- Supply2.3
- Price determination2.4
- Price changes2.5
- Price elasticity of demand (PED)2.6
- Price elasticity of supply (PES)2.7
- Market economic system2.8
- Market failure2.9
- Mixed economic system2.10
Topic 3 · Microeconomic decision-makers
- Money and banking3.1
- Households3.2
- Workers3.3
- Firms3.4
- Firms and production3.5
- Firms’ costs, revenue and objectives3.6
- Types of markets3.7
Topic 4 · Government and the macroeconomy
- Government macroeconomic intervention4.1
- Fiscal policy4.2
- Monetary policy4.3
- Supply-side policy4.4
- Economic growth4.5
- Employment and unemployment4.6
- Inflation4.7
Topic 5 · Economic development
- Living standards5.1
- Poverty5.2
- Population5.3
- Differences in economic development between countries5.4
Topic 6 · International trade and globalisation
- Specialisation and free trade6.1
- Globalisation and trade restrictions6.2
- Foreign exchange rates6.3
- Current account of the balance of payments6.4
Lessons and worked examples
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- 01
Explain scarcity and the basic economic choices
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Not started - 02
Classify factors of production and their rewards
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Not started - 03
Find opportunity cost in real choices
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Not started - 04
Read and explain a production possibility curve
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Explain how a market connects buyers and sellers
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Read demand curves and explain demand changes
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Read supply curves and explain supply changes
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Find equilibrium and explain shortages or surpluses
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Trace how changing market conditions affect price
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Calculate PED and use it in decisions
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Calculate PES and explain supply responsiveness
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Weigh arguments for a market economic system
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Explain market failure and misallocation
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Compare policy tools in a mixed economy
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Explain money's functions and banks' roles
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Explain household spending, saving and borrowing
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Explain wages, labour mobility and division of labour
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Compare firm types, mergers and economies of scale
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Explain factor demand, production methods and productivity
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Calculate costs and revenue, then compare firm objectives
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Compare competitive and monopoly markets
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Compare government macroeconomic aims
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Use budgets, taxation and spending to explain fiscal policy
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Trace monetary policy through interest rates and money supply
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Evaluate policies that improve productive capacity
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Measure growth and assess its costs and policies
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Measure unemployment and compare its causes
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Measure inflation and compare its causes
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Compare living standards with GDP per head and HDI
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Explain poverty and compare policies to reduce it
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Explain population growth and its economic effects
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Explain why countries differ in development
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Not started - 33
Explain country specialisation and free trade
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Assess globalisation, multinational firms and trade barriers
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Explain exchange rates and currency movements
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Calculate and interpret the current account balance
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Browse 36 topics →IGCSE Economics 0455 · Starter Paper
3 questions · 40 min · Timed practice