The Economist is a globally respected weekly news magazine founded in 1843 that combines rigorous reporting with sharp, independent analysis on world politics, business, finance, economics, science, technology and culture. It is read by world leaders, business executives, academics and serious news readers in more than 200 countries.
A subscription includes the famous weekly print edition delivered to your door, full digital access via Economist.com and the apps (iOS, Android, Kindle), the daily Espresso morning briefing, podcasts including The Intelligence, films and webinars, and the complete archive going back decades. The Economist is well-known for its unsigned articles, deep data journalism, distinctive Economist style guide and consistent center-right liberal editorial stance.
The Economist publishes a weekly print magazine delivered to your door alongside full digital access on web, iOS and Android. Read the same content whether you prefer paper, browser or app.
Each morning the Economist Espresso app delivers a curated five-story briefing covering the global stories that matter, helping you stay informed without subscription email overwhelm.
Every issue is available as a high-quality professional audio narration, so you can listen during commutes, workouts or chores instead of reading.
The Intelligence (daily news podcast), Money Talks (finance), Babbage (science), Checks and Balance (US politics) and original short-form video documentaries are all included with a subscription.
Subscribers access decades of past issues searchable by keyword, topic or date — invaluable for research, journalism and understanding how stories have evolved.
The Economist subscription gives you intellectual depth few other news outlets can match. Each weekly issue covers global affairs, business, finance, science and culture with the magazine’s signature unsigned, fact-checked writing. Supplements like Schumpeter, Bagehot, and The Intelligence add depth on specific beats. Digital subscribers get the same content on Economist.com, mobile apps, and audio editions, plus the Espresso daily briefing, podcasts, video documentaries and the searchable archive.
Watch independent reviewer takes on the Economist’s print and digital subscriptions, app walkthroughs, and an honest assessment of whether the subscription cost is worth it for serious readers in 2026.
The Economist offers digital-only and digital+print bundles. Digital-only annual: ~$144.50 first-year promotional ($2.78/week intro), $289 at regular rate. Digital + Print bundle: ~$249-$349 introductory ($349 standard, $409 gift rate). Multi-year subscriptions save more: 1 Year $275, 2 Years $490, 3 Years $698 via authorized resellers. Students and educators get up to 75% off with verified academic ID. 50% discount codes appear seasonally.
Subscribers consistently rate The Economist 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, praising the editorial quality and depth. Common feedback notes the high subscription cost and a center-right editorial slant.
I’ve subscribed to The Economist for 8 years. The depth on global finance and geopolitics is unmatched — nothing else gives me as much actionable context for investment decisions in such a compact package.
I assign Economist articles to my political science students because the writing is consistently clear, evidence-based and globally aware. The archive alone is worth the subscription for academic research.
Strong magazine, but the renewal price is steep. I subscribe at the promotional rate and watch for student/multi-year deals. Espresso app is a daily must-read for me though.
For similar global news coverage in 2026, top alternatives include the Financial Times, Foreign Affairs, The Atlantic, Bloomberg Businessweek and The Wall Street Journal. FT is closest to The Economist on global finance, while Foreign Affairs goes deeper into geopolitics.
Quick answers about pricing, print vs digital subscriptions, the Espresso app, and how to cancel your Economist subscription.
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