Many of the problems that dominate our newspaper headlines are economic problems. Why are some countries poor with very low growth rates while a small number of countries enjoy high living standards and high growth rates? What is the role of international trade and finance in explaining these global inequalities? Why are some countries so much more successful at creating employment or reducing unemployment than other countries? Within countries, why do some people earn so much more than others, and what are the best ways to tackle and reduce poverty? Is it possible to pursue economic growth and still protect our natural and physical environments? How should governments try to raise the finance needed to pay for health and education services and income-support programmes? What is the proper role for government in the economy? Would we be better off with higher taxes but also better social services than we presently enjoy? Any society has to address the problem of how and what to produce for its material survival, and how the goods and services that are produced should be distributed among its population. Economists explore how people and institutions behave and function when producing, exchanging and using goods and services. Economists' main motivation is to find mechanisms that encourage efficiency in the production and use of material goods and resources, while at the same time producing a pattern of income distribution that society finds acceptable. Economists aim to develop theories of human behaviour and test them against the facts. These theories are summarised in economic models that best explain the events we observe. An important part of the work of an economist is collecting and analysing data about economic phenomena - prices, employment, costs, etc. The art of the economist is to blend together theory, data and statistical techniques to arrive at a new understanding of economic problems or to make policy recommendations that hopefully will improve the welfare and living standards of our society.

About a third of graduates go on to further study either in Ireland or abroad. Over the years Trinity College's economists have made distinguished careers all over the world in business, finance, journalism, law, politics, the public service, and in leading universities.