What you receive with an Economist subscription

The Economist is a weekly magazine published in London that covers global news, politics, business, science, and culture. A subscription delivers the print edition to your home, the digital edition to your devices, or both, depending on which plan you choose. The magazine arrives on Thursdays in most of North America and contains reporting and analysis that runs roughly 80 to 100 pages per issue.

The digital edition becomes available online the same day the print edition ships. You can read it on The Economist's website, through their mobile app for iOS and Android, or through the Economist app for tablets. Digital access includes the full archive of past articles going back several years, so you can search and read older reporting on topics you're following.

All subscription tiers include access to The Economist's daily newsletter, which summarizes the week's major stories and arrives in your inbox each morning. Print subscribers also receive The World in Brief, a separate weekly digest of global headlines.

Key Takeaways

  • The Economist offers three main subscription types: print only, digital only, or print plus digital, with different price points for each.
  • Print subscriptions are available in the United States, Canada, and other countries, but shipping costs and delivery times vary by location.
  • Digital access works on computers, phones, and tablets through the website and mobile app, and includes access to the full article archive.
  • The magazine publishes weekly on Thursdays, so you receive 52 issues per year with a standard annual subscription.
  • Subscription pricing changes frequently and The Economist regularly offers discounted rates for new subscribers, especially during promotional periods.

Print, digital, and combined subscription options

The Economist sells three distinct subscription packages. A print-only subscription delivers the physical magazine to your address each week. A digital-only subscription gives you access to the website, mobile app, and email newsletters but no printed copies. A print plus digital subscription combines both and costs more than either alone.

Print subscriptions are available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several other countries. Delivery times depend on where you live — U.S. subscribers typically receive the magazine within three to five business days of publication. Canadian subscribers may wait five to seven business days. International delivery outside these main regions is limited and often unavailable.

Digital-only subscriptions have no shipping delays. You can read the new issue online the moment it publishes on Thursday evening, U.S. Eastern Time. This makes digital the faster option if you want to read the current week's reporting when ready.

How pricing works and where to find current rates

The Economist does not publish a fixed price on its main website. Instead, the magazine offers different rates to different readers based on when they visit, where they live, and whether they are new or returning subscribers. A new subscriber might see an introductory rate of roughly 50 percent off the standard annual price, while a returning subscriber might see a different offer.

The standard annual price for a digital-only subscription in the United States typically ranges from $150 to $200 per year, though promotional rates can be significantly lower. Print-only subscriptions cost more because of shipping and printing costs. Print plus digital subscriptions cost more than either alone. These figures change regularly, and The Economist frequently runs promotions during holidays, back-to-school season, and other periods.

To see the current price for your location and subscription type, visit The Economist's subscription page directly. You will see the rate that applies to you based on your location and whether you have subscribed before. The price you see at checkout is the price you will pay — there are no hidden fees added later.

How to start and manage your subscription

To begin a subscription, go to The Economist's website and select the subscription type you want. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide your payment information. For print subscriptions, you will also need to enter a mailing address. The system will confirm your order and send you a confirmation email.

Digital access usually begins within a few hours of purchase. Print subscriptions typically begin with the next available issue, which may be the current week's edition or the following week's, depending on when you order. You will receive a separate email with tracking information once your first print issue ships.

You can manage your subscription through your account on The Economist's website. Log in with your email and password to view your subscription status, update your mailing address, change your payment method, or pause your subscription temporarily. If you want to cancel, you can do so through your account settings without contacting customer service.

What happens after your subscription ends

When your subscription period ends, The Economist will send you an email reminder before your renewal date. If you do nothing, your subscription will renew automatically at the rate you agreed to when you signed up. This renewal rate may differ from the promotional rate you received as a new subscriber.

If you do not want to renew, you can cancel through your account settings before the renewal date. Canceling stops future charges but does not refund the subscription period you have already paid for. If you cancel mid-subscription, you lose access to digital content when ready, though print issues already shipped will still arrive.

If you want to pause rather than cancel — for example, if you are traveling and do not want issues to pile up — you can suspend your subscription for a set number of weeks through your account. When the pause ends, your subscription resumes automatically.

Comparing The Economist to other news sources

The Economist differs from daily newspapers in that it publishes once per week and focuses on analysis and context rather than breaking news. It covers fewer stories than a daily paper but spends more space on each one. The writing assumes readers have some familiarity with current events and business terminology.

Compared to other weekly magazines, The Economist is more international in scope — roughly half its content covers non-U.S. news — and more focused on economics and policy. It does not include lifestyle, entertainment, or sports coverage the way general-interest magazines do. If you read primarily for U.S. domestic news, a daily newspaper or news website may serve you better. If you follow global business and policy, The Economist is built for that audience.

Many libraries offer free access to The Economist through their digital collections. If you have a library card, you can check whether your library system provides access before paying for a subscription.

Common questions about access and reading

Digital subscribers can read individual articles as PDFs and read them offline, though you must be logged in to read. You cannot read entire issues at once. The mobile app allows you to read articles offline after you have opened them once while connected to the internet.

The Economist's website and app do not have a read-aloud or audio feature built in. However, some articles are available through third-party audiobook services if you subscribe to those separately. The magazine does not produce an official audio edition.

If you lose access to your account — for example, if you forget your password — you can reset it through the login page. If you cannot access your email address, you will need to contact The Economist's customer service team to regain access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read The Economist on multiple devices with one subscription?

Yes. A single digital subscription lets you log in on your computer, phone, and tablet simultaneously. You can read on all of them at the same time. Print subscriptions are tied to a mailing address, not a device, so only one person receives the physical magazine unless you share it.

What if I move or want to change my mailing address?

Log into your account and update your address in the subscription settings. Changes usually take effect within one to two weeks. If you are moving soon, update your address before you move to avoid missed issues. For print subscribers, you can also pause your subscription during a move and resume it once you have settled.

Does The Economist offer student discounts?

The Economist does not advertise a dedicated student discount on its main website. However, promotional rates for new subscribers are often steep enough that students may find them comparable to or better than any student-specific offer. Check the subscription page to see the current rate available to you.

Can I gift a subscription to someone else?

The Economist sells gift subscriptions through its website. You choose the subscription type and length, enter the recipient's email address, and optionally add a gift message. The recipient receives an email with instructions to set up the subscription. Gift subscriptions are typically available at promotional rates.

What if I want to cancel but have already paid for several months?

Canceling a subscription does not refund the time you have already paid for. You keep access until your paid period ends, then the subscription stops. If you need a refund for a recent purchase, contact The Economist's customer service team to discuss your situation — policies vary depending on how recently you subscribed.