IBonomicsIB 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 IB Economics in every session since November 2021, see our IB Economics grade distribution and IB Economics grade 7 rate pages.
For deeper dives into regional splits, standard deviations, and subject‑by‑subject grade boundaries, download the official PDF:
IB Final Statistical Bulletin – May 2024.
IB exam statistics
IB Economics Grade Distribution
In May 2026 (provisional), 44.8% of IB Economics HL students and 39.9% of SL students got a 6 or 7. Grades 1 to 7 since November 2021.
What Percentage of Students Get a 7 in IB Economics?
14.7% of IB Economics HL students and 14.3% of SL students got a 7 in May 2026 (provisional). The grade 7 rate since November 2021.
Average IB Economics Grade
The average IB Economics grade in May 2026 (provisional) was 5.2 at HL and 5.0 at SL. Mean grades for every session since November 2021, and how they changed.
