IB Economics May 2024 Results: How Many 7s? What’s the Average Grade?
Fresh data from the May 2024 IB Statistical Bulletin reveal that roughly 4,200 students nailed a grade 7 in Economics, the mean sits at 5.0, and about 2,100 HL candidates scored below a 4. Here’s the breakdown—plus a quick comparison with Business Management.
May 2024 IB Economics Results at a Glance
The full figures come from the IB Diploma & Career‑related Programme Final Statistical Bulletin – May 2024. Below is a distilled look at Economics HL & SL and how they stack up against Business Management (HL).
1. How Many Students Got a 7 in IB Economics?
| Level | Students | % who scored 7 | Number of 7s |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL | 18,449 | 15.0 % | ≈ 2,770 |
| SL | 10,088 | 14.1 % | ≈ 1,420 |
| Total | 28,537 | — | ≈ 4,190 |
Bottom line: About 4.2 k students worldwide hit the coveted grade 7 in May 2024 Economics.
2. What’s the Average IB Economics Grade?
- HL mean: 5.1
- SL mean: 4.8
- Combined weighted mean: ≈ 5.0
That places Economics a touch above the IB’s traditional pass mark of 4 and slightly ahead of several other Individuals & Societies subjects.
3. How Many HL Economics Students “Fail”?
IB rules state that a grade 1 in any subject is an automatic diploma fail, while grades 2–3 can contribute to failure depending on the overall mix of grades.
| Grade band | % of HL candidates | Student count |
|---|---|---|
| No grade (N) | 0.8 % | ≈ 150 |
| Grade 1 | 0.2 % | ≈ 37 |
| Grade 2 | 2.3 % | ≈ 420 |
| Grade 3 | 8.2 % | ≈ 1,520 |
- Certain fails (grade 1): ~37 students
- Below a 4 (N + 1 + 2 + 3): ~2,120 students (≈ 11.5 % of HL cohort)
Only the grade 1 group automatically fails; those on grade 2 or 3 depend on results in their other five subjects.
4. Quick Comparison: Economics HL vs. Business Management HL
| Metric | Economics HL | Bus Man HL |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates | 18,449 | 22,190 |
| Mean grade | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| % scoring 7 | 15.0 % (≈ 2,770) | 7.7 % (≈ 1,710) |
| % below 4* | 11.5 % (≈ 2,120) | 12.0 % (≈ 2,660) |
*Includes N, 1, 2, 3
Take‑away: Economics HL edges out Business Management HL on both mean grade and likelihood of hitting a 7, while maintaining a slightly lower share of sub‑4 results.
Explore the Full Data
For deeper dives into regional splits, standard deviations, and subject‑by‑subject grade boundaries, download the official PDF:
IB Final Statistical Bulletin – May 2024.
