The Intelligence from The Economist Boom with a view: our economy of the year
18 snips
Dec 30, 2025 
Join Callum Williams, a senior economics writer, as he unpacks the methodology behind the Economy of the Year ranking, revealing why Portugal tops the list. Shailesh Chitnas sheds light on the rich yet overlooked Dalit cuisine of India, explaining its historical roots and social context. Meanwhile, Charlotte Kilpatrick explores the resurgence of river commuting on the Thames, discussing its environmental benefits and the unique experiences it offers. An insightful blend of economics, culture, and urban transport awaits!
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Portugal Tops 2025 Economic Ranking
- Portugal topped The Economist's economy ranking thanks to tourism, inward migration and controlled inflation.
- Southern Europe has led the rankings four years running, marking a sustained regional recovery.
Five Metrics Make One Score
- The ranking combines inflation, inflation breadth, GDP, employment and share-price growth into a single score.
- This multi-factor approach highlights cross-country trade-offs rather than a single headline metric.
Energy Shock Explains Many Losers
- Countries exposed to the 2022 energy-price shock have underperformed in recent rankings.
- Estonia, Finland and Britain suffered from sustained high energy costs and weak outcomes.