What you get with an Economist subscription

The Economist is a weekly magazine published in London that covers global news, politics, business, science, and culture. A subscription gives you access to the print magazine, the website, and a mobile app. The exact content you receive depends on which subscription tier you choose — the magazine alone, digital only, or both together.

Print subscribers receive the physical magazine every week, mailed to your address. Digital subscribers can read articles on The Economist's website and use their mobile app on phones and tablets. Some subscription packages include both formats; others are digital-only and cost less. The magazine typically arrives on Thursday or Friday in North America, depending on your location.

All subscriptions include access to The Economist's archive of past articles, newsletters, and special reports. You can also read issues as PDFs and read them offline. Some higher-tier subscriptions add access to The Economist's events, podcasts, and data tools like their country profiles and statistical databases.

Key Takeaways

  • The Economist offers three main subscription types: print only, digital only, and print-plus-digital, with digital being the least expensive option.
  • Subscription prices vary based on how long you commit — annual plans cost less per week than shorter commitments, and promotional rates are common for new subscribers.
  • You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time, though some promotional rates require you to complete the initial term before canceling without penalty.
  • Student and teacher discounts are available and typically cost roughly half the standard rate if you can verify your status through a school email or student ID.
  • Digital access begins when ready after payment, while print subscriptions take one to two weeks to arrive depending on your location.

Subscription tiers and what each one includes

The Economist offers three main subscription formats. Digital-only subscriptions give you access to the website and mobile app but not the print magazine. This is the lowest-cost option. Print-only subscriptions deliver the physical magazine weekly but do not include digital access. Print and digital subscriptions bundle both formats together and cost more than either alone, but less than buying them separately.

Beyond these three, The Economist sells add-ons and premium tiers. Some subscriptions include access to their events — live webinars and in-person conferences held throughout the year in major cities. Others unlock their data tools, which include interactive country profiles, economic forecasts, and downloadable datasets. These premium features are typically sold as upgrades to existing subscriptions rather than standalone products.

Student and teacher subscriptions exist for all three formats and cost significantly less than standard rates. You will need to verify your status using a school email address or by uploading a student ID or pay stub. The discount applies for the duration of your studies or employment, and you can switch to a standard subscription when your status changes.

How much Economist subscriptions cost

Prices for The Economist subscriptions change frequently and vary by region and subscription length. Digital-only subscriptions typically cost less per week than print subscriptions. Print-plus-digital subscriptions cost more than print alone but less than the sum of both purchased separately. Introductory rates for new subscribers are common and often last for the first 12 weeks; after that, the price increases to the standard rate unless you cancel.

Annual commitments cost less per week than shorter terms. A one-year subscription usually works out to a lower weekly cost than a three-month or six-month subscription. Some promotional offers bundle multiple years at a discount or offer a reduced rate for the first year followed by standard pricing in subsequent years. These promotions change regularly, so the price you see when you visit their website may differ from what someone else sees or what was available last month.

Student rates are typically 50 percent or more below standard pricing. Teacher rates vary by country and employer but are generally lower than standard rates as well. Gift subscriptions and corporate subscriptions have their own pricing structures and may include additional features or management tools for multiple users.

How to start and manage your subscription

To start a subscription, visit The Economist's website and select the subscription type and length you want. You will enter your email address, create a password, and provide a payment method — credit card, debit card, or PayPal. After payment processes, digital access begins when ready. Print subscriptions take one to two weeks to arrive, depending on your location and the current mail volume.

You can manage your subscription through your account page on The Economist's website. There you can update your payment method, change your delivery address, pause your subscription temporarily, or cancel it. Pausing is useful if you are traveling or want to stop receiving the magazine for a few weeks without losing your subscription. Cancellation ends your access at the end of your current billing period.

If you are on a promotional rate and cancel before the promotional period ends, you may be charged an early termination fee or lose the discount. Read the terms of your specific subscription before canceling to understand what applies to you. The Economist's customer service team can answer questions about your account through their website contact form or by phone.

Promotional rates and how they work

The Economist frequently offers reduced rates for new subscribers, often lasting 12 weeks at a discounted price. After the promotional period ends, your subscription automatically renews at the standard rate for your subscription type unless you cancel. The standard rate is higher than the introductory rate, so your bill will increase when the promotion expires.

Some promotions are tied to specific channels — subscribing through a partner website, using a promo code, or signing up during a particular time of year may unlock different rates. Rates also vary by country and region. A subscription in the United States may cost more or less than the same subscription in the United Kingdom or Australia.

If you cancel during a promotional period, the terms of that promotion determine whether you owe an early termination fee. Some promotions allow you to cancel anytime without penalty; others require you to complete the promotional term. Check your subscription confirmation email or account page to see the terms that explore to your specific subscription.

Accessing your subscription on different devices

Digital subscribers can read The Economist on their computer's web browser, on an iPhone or iPad through the iOS app, or on an Android phone or tablet through the Android app. You log in with the same email and password you used to create your account. Your reading history, saved articles, and preferences sync across devices, so you can start reading on your phone and continue on your computer.

The mobile apps allow you to read issues to read offline, which is useful if you are traveling or do not have internet access. Downloaded issues remain on your device until you delete them. The apps also send notifications when new issues are published and let you customize which sections you want to read first.

Print subscribers do not automatically receive digital access unless they purchased a print-plus-digital subscription. If you have a print-only subscription and want to add digital access, you can upgrade through your account page. The cost of the upgrade is typically the difference between your current subscription price and the print-plus-digital price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Economist subscription anytime?

You can cancel anytime through your account page, and your access ends at the end of your current billing period. However, if you are on a promotional rate, your subscription terms may include an early termination fee if you cancel before the promotional period ends. Check your confirmation email or account page to see the terms that explore to your subscription.

What happens if I don't use my subscription?

Your subscription will continue to renew and charge you on your billing date unless you cancel it. The Economist does not offer refunds for unused subscriptions, but you can pause your subscription temporarily if you know you will not be reading for a few weeks. Pausing stops charges until you resume.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing cycle?

The Economist does not issue refunds for partial billing periods. Your access continues until the end of your current billing cycle, and then it stops. If you cancel on day one of a monthly billing cycle, you still have access for the full month.

Can I share my login with family members?

The Economist's terms of service restrict sharing your login credentials with people outside your household. Sharing with family members who live with you is generally permitted, but sharing with friends or colleagues outside your home may violate the terms. If you need multiple accounts, contact The Economist's customer service to ask about family or household plans.

How do I verify my student or teacher status?

During signup for a student or teacher subscription, you will be asked to verify your status using a school email address or by uploading a photo of your student ID, teacher ID, or recent pay stub. The verification process is usually when ready for school email addresses. If you upload a document, it may take a few business days for The Economist to review and confirm.