Economics Explained

Exploring the incredible transformation of the Persian Gulf from a collection of small fishing villages to the global epicenter of oil-fueled opulence. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh have risen from the sands with grand visions of becoming world-class business and tourist destinations. But is this meteoric rise sustainable, or just a facade built on dwindling oil reserves? We delve into the ambitious projects, the looming challenges, and the critical question of what happens when the oil runs out. Will these cities thrive in a post-oil world, or are they destined to become relics of a forgotten boom? " Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thailand has faced decades of political turmoil, but its economy has continued to grow, defying the odds. Strategically located and driven by strong industries, Thailand has managed to navigate through coups and crises. However, with ongoing challenges, can Thailand continue its upward trajectory and secure its place as a leading economy in Southeast Asia? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Venezuela, a nation blessed with the largest oil reserves in the world, has shockingly transformed from potential powerhouse to economic disaster. In this video, we dive into the mismanagement that led to a collapse so severe that international agencies stopped tracking it. Explore how internal failures and external pressures pushed this once-promising country to the brink, and whether there's any chance left for a recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2006, Spain's economy was booming, experiencing unparalleled growth since the turn of the millennium. With per capita output more than doubling in just six years, some economists predicted that Spain could surpass Germany in per capita income within five years, positioning itself as a central power in Europe. The real estate sector thrived, with agents becoming local celebrities and tradespeople in high demand. However, this growth was unsustainable. The global financial crisis (GFC) and the Eurozone crisis ended the debt-fueled expansion abruptly. Nearly two decades later, Spain's economy remains weaker than in 2007. High unemployment, stagnated economic activity, and persistent debt struggles paint a grim picture. Spain's story serves as a cautionary tale. This raises critical questions: What fueled Spain's rapid economic growth? What led to its dramatic downfall? Why has the recovery been so slow? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2016 was supposed to mark Brazil's rise as an economic superpower. The country saw rapid growth in industries, surpassing India and Italy, and nearing France and the UK in economic output. Improvements in healthcare, education, and political stability painted a promising picture. But by 2016, the dream was shattered. The Rio Olympics, intended to showcase Brazil's success, became a global embarrassment. Delayed construction, waste-filled arenas, and the event's high costs bankrupted the city, leading to strikes by unpaid public servants. Instead of highlighting achievements, the Olympics exposed Brazil's challenges. Since its peak, Brazil's GDP has nearly halved, erasing progress made in the 2000s. Corruption scandals and political instability further hinder its recovery. This video explores how Brazil became a fast-growing economy, why it collapsed, and if it can reclaim its former success. Could Brazil rise again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, hosting the Olympics has been seen as a prestigious opportunity to showcase a nation's success. However, history shows that these events often coincide with economic challenges. Russia hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, facing economic decline shortly after. Brazil's economy stagnated following the 2016 Rio Olympics, and China's growth slowed during the 2022 Winter Olympics. With France facing economic tensions ahead of its upcoming Olympics and Australia slated to host in 2032, it's worth questioning whether these prestigious events are predictors of economic downturns. Could there be a connection, and are these multi-billion dollar projects worth the risk? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hawaii, the last state to join the USA, is renowned not just for its pivotal role in military operations and its allure as a top tourist destination, but also for its significant economic contributions on a global scale. Despite its modest size and remote location, the Hawaiian Islands boast an economic output that rivals entire countries like Bulgaria and Ecuador. This video delves into how Hawaii has carved out this economic niche, presenting a unique case study that challenges conventional measures of prosperity. While for many, Hawaii represents the perfect surfing getaway or a strategic naval base, the reality for its residents is a daily life marked by unique economic challenges. The state grapples with some of the highest living costs in the world, lacking the high-paying jobs that usually justify such expenses. From costly day-to-day necessities influenced by its isolation and tourist appeal, to critical lapses in economic policy, this video examines the underlying issues that could be improved almost immediately—if there was a political will to address them. Is it really just the price of living in paradise? This video questions whether these economic challenges can be managed without giving the state an unfair advantage and explores the potential consequences of neglecting these issues. How does Hawaii compare to other states and global economies when it comes to addressing these pressing concerns? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this video, we explore the dramatic changes in Portugal's economy driven by the influx of digital nomads. Discover how warm sandy beaches, vibrant culture, excellent internet speeds, and affordable living costs have transformed Portugal into a top destination for remote workers from high-income countries. We delve into the benefits, like increased spending on local goods and services and investment in businesses, particularly in Lisbon, where cafes, coworking spaces, and the tourism sector thrive. However, this boom isn't without its downsides. Rising housing prices and rent due to the demand from digital nomads are creating challenges for local residents. We examine the complex balance Portugal faces between economic growth and local affordability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Ireland, a nation with two contrasting economic realities. On the surface, Ireland's economy appears as one of the world’s richest, only behind Luxembourg in the IMF rankings, surpassing global economic leaders like Switzerland and the USA. But delve deeper, and you discover a more complex narrative. For much of its history, Ireland has grappled with severe poverty and economic instability. Yet, the past two decades have painted a picture of unprecedented wealth, presenting Ireland as the richest major economy on paper. This fairytale, however, is powered by what many would call creative accounting, rather than a genuine economic revolution. In this video, we explore the dichotomy between Ireland's 'make-believe' economy—fueled by offshore trillions and favorable tax laws—and its 'real' economy, composed of hard-working individuals and traditional businesses. We delve into how these two facets interact, the benefits of being a business haven comparable to New York or Singapore, and the inherent risks of building prosperity on precarious financial strategies. Join us as we unpack the intricate dance between Ireland’s enticing tax policies and its real economic substance, evaluating both the high stakes and the high gains of this fascinating economic setup. What does this mean for the future of Ireland’s economy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mississippi, once the richest state in the USA, now has the lowest GDP per capita, highest poverty rate, and slowest growth. What caused this dramatic decline? Let's find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the hidden gem of Southeast Asia! The Philippines is rapidly growing into a global economic powerhouse, leveraging its vibrant workforce and unique strategies. Uncover the fascinating influence of its complex history with the USA and dive into the challenges it faces, from corruption to inequality. Join us on an exciting journey as we rank the Philippines on the Economics Explained Leaderboard! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Turkey's economy faces severe inflation and a 96% devaluation of the Lira. Despite recent interest rate hikes, stabilization remains elusive. Will Turkey overcome its economic challenges, or is it too late? Discover the unfolding story! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the Netherlands' unique economic journey, from pioneering modern trade and finance to overcoming Dutch Disease. See why it's one of the most productive and livable countries today. Can other economies learn from the Dutch model? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, two gentlemen fighting back and forth for the title of world richest man. These two individuals seem very very similar, for starters, of course, they are both billionaires, an elite worldwide club with around 2 and a half thousand members, they are both white, male tech entrepreneurs, from the united states, and even more specifically from Seattle, and even more specifically their primary residence is in Medina a same small town just outside of Seattle. So it looks like these two are pretty similar, but in reality, their fortunes couldn’t be more different. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wuhan Coronavirus, the active impeachment of a sitting US president, an earthquake and volcanic eruption in the Philippines, floods in Indonesia, the death of Kobe Bryant, magnitude 7.7 earthquakes in the Caribbean and even my homeland down under has been on fire and then buried in ice and then on fire again so yeah the first month of 2020 is really trying its best to kill us all I guess what we are here for is to explore what all of these things mean to an economy both at a local and global level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sweden is a beautiful Scandinavian country famed for its beautiful people, flat-packed furniture, PewDiePie and meatballs. Now of course if you hadn’t guessed by the channels title we are only here to look Sweden's economy, and it is a remarkable one at that. Sweden is home to one of the highest standards of living in the world and is often held in extremely high regard when it comes to workers rights and general quality of life indicators such as working hours, happiness rates and life expectancy. It is also a nation with a rich history of setting the trend for other economies to follow, Sweden is home to the Riksbank founded in 1668 it is the oldest central bank in the world, blazing the path for monetary policy that dictates every major economy in the world today. So how did it get here. We have explored rich nations with strong welfare systems that seem to do everything right on the channel before… most notably Norway, Sweden's little brother the to west… But Sweden is slightly different in the sense that it was not blessed with the Norwegian sea and its abundance of oil and gas, so it was not able to build up a sovereign wealth fund with oil profits like Norway was and so on paper it is citizens are poorer than Norway's but their quality of life seems exactly the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Philippines, a beautiful tropical archipelago of islands that forms one of the most important economies in the world today. This nation often flies under the radar as a quiet achiever but it is both interesting and important to understand because it may be the quintessential 21st-century growth nation, and that is not to say it is some super modern nation from the future, but rather it is to say that the story of the success and failures of the Philippines is by extension the story of the world today as more and more countries, modernize, embrace technology, trade internationally and bring their citizens into the global middle class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Soviet Union is one of the most historically significant economies to understand, not only because it was the home to some of the most controversial economic practices ever, not only because it was a nation that altered world politics for the latter half of the entire twentieth century, or because it was home to one of the largest and most rapid economic declines in modern history, no no, all of that stuff is important and we will explore it, but more important than all of that is that even today, almost 30 years after the fall of the soviet union, the lessons of the nation and its economy are having lasting implications on the world today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Africa is an economy that is really important to understand as a kind of potential outcome case study of inequality gone bad. The nation itself, on paper at least is not so terrible, it is actually one of if not the wealthiest nation in all of Africa, trading back and forth quite frequently with Nigeria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phenomenon of brain drain is when the best and brightest workers from poor countries immigrate to rich countries in the pursuit of higher pay and living conditions. This can hinder the development of poor countries because many of their best workers leave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices