What was the average IB Economics grade in May 2026?

The mean grade was 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL. Both are the same as in May 2025. The figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, so they may be revised in the final version.

Is it easier to get a 7 in Economics at SL or HL?

In May 2026, 14.7% of HL candidates and 14.3% of SL candidates received a 7, so the shares are very close. These are shares of each level's candidates, and the data does not show whether one level is easier.

Did Economics results change compared with May 2025?

The mean grade stayed the same at both levels: 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL in both May 2025 and May 2026. Individual grades moved only slightly: the share of 7s went from 14% to 14.7% at HL and from 14.9% to 14.3% at SL.

IB subject statistics

IB Economics grade distribution and average grade, May 2026

By Michael Thompson - Head of Teaching Excellence; 15 years as an IB Coordinator

Published 5 October 2026Data: IB Diploma Programme provisional statistical bulletin, May 2026

Short answer: In May 2026, IB Economics students averaged 5.2 at HL (20,472 students) and 5.0 at SL (11,305). 14.7% of HL and 14.3% of SL students scored a 7, and the most common grade at both levels was 6.

This page summarises IB Economics results for the May 2026 session, using the IB's official statistical bulletin for that session. The May 2026 figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, and a final version follows later in the year, so small revisions are possible.

In May 2026, 20,472 candidates sat Economics at HL and 11,305 at SL. The mean grade was 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL. Below we explain what the grade distribution says about how the subject is scored, how the two levels differ, and what this means for choosing and preparing for it.

Key figures

Level	Students	Mean grade	Share of 7s	vs May 2025
HL	20,472	5.2	14.7%	no change
SL	11,305	5.0	14.3%	no change

Grade distribution, May 2026

Grade distribution, May 2026
Grade	Higher Level	Standard Level
1	0.1%	0.6%
2	1.9%	4.6%
3	7.4%	11.9%
4	17.4%	17.8%
5	27.7%	22.8%
6	30.1%	25.6%
7	14.7%	14.3%

Grade 1-7, % of studentsHigher LevelStandard Level

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What the grade distribution shows

Economics results cluster in the upper middle of the scale. At HL, grade 6 is the most common outcome at 30.1% of candidates, followed by grade 5 at 27.7%. Grade 4 accounts for 17.4% and grade 7 for 14.7%. At SL the shape is similar: grade 6 at 25.6%, grade 5 at 22.8%, grade 4 at 17.8% and grade 7 at 14.3%. The percentages are shares of all candidates at that level, and a small remainder received no grade at all. Grades 6 and 5 are the two most common outcomes at both levels.

HL compared with SL

HL has the slightly higher mean grade (5.2 against 5), and the main difference lies in the lower grades. At SL, 0.6% of candidates received a 1, 4.6% a 2 and 11.9% a 3. At HL the matching shares are 0.1%, 1.9% and 7.4%. At the top the two levels are close: 14.7% of HL candidates and 14.3% of SL candidates earned a 7. These are shares, not head counts, and HL had more candidates in total. The gap could reflect who chooses each level, for example students who are more confident in the subject opting for HL, but the bulletin does not tell us why.

Change since May 2025

Compared with May 2025, the mean grade did not move at either level: HL was 5.2 in both sessions and SL was 5 in both. The grade shares moved little as well: 7s went from 14% to 14.7% at HL and from 14.9% to 14.3% at SL, and the biggest single change was SL grade 6, up from 23.5% to 25.6%. For the session as a whole, the mean diploma total was 30.9. That figure covers all subjects and the core, so it is context only and says nothing about Economics specifically.

What this means for choosing and preparing

A stable mean of 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL suggests Economics is scored consistently from one May session to the next, which makes it a reasonably predictable subject to plan around. A 7 is reached by roughly the same share of candidates at both levels, so SL is not a weaker route to the top grade. The choice between levels is better made on interest, workload and university requirements than on these averages. For preparation, the large cluster at grades 5 and 6 suggests that consistent exam technique, clear written analysis and accurate use of diagrams are what separate a 5 or 6 from a 7. Practising with past papers under timed conditions is a sensible way to build this.

Key takeaways

May 2026 mean grade: 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL, both unchanged from May 2025.
Grade 6 is the most common result at both levels (30.1% at HL, 25.6% at SL), with grade 5 second.
Grade 7 shares are close: 14.7% at HL and 14.3% at SL.
SL has larger shares at grades 1 to 3 than HL, which accounts for its slightly lower mean.
May 2026 figures are from the IB's provisional bulletin and may be revised.

Frequently asked questions

What was the average IB Economics grade in May 2026?: The mean grade was 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL. Both are the same as in May 2025. The figures come from the IB's provisional bulletin, so they may be revised in the final version.
Is it easier to get a 7 in Economics at SL or HL?: In May 2026, 14.7% of HL candidates and 14.3% of SL candidates received a 7, so the shares are very close. These are shares of each level's candidates, and the data does not show whether one level is easier.
Did Economics results change compared with May 2025?: The mean grade stayed the same at both levels: 5.2 at HL and 5 at SL in both May 2025 and May 2026. Individual grades moved only slightly: the share of 7s went from 14% to 14.7% at HL and from 14.9% to 14.3% at SL.