Economics & Markets — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about economics & markets — supply, demand and global finance. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

1. deflation/dɪˈfleɪ.ʃən/

   “Deflation can also harm an economy.”

2. boom/buːm/

   “The economy enjoyed a boom.”

3. stagnation/stæɡˈneɪ.ʃən/

   “The country faces economic stagnation.”

4. exchange rate/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ ˌreɪt/

   “The exchange rate is unstable.”

5. taxation/tækˈseɪ.ʃən/

   “Higher taxation slows spending.”

6. protectionism/prəˈtek.ʃən.ɪ.zəm/

   “Protectionism limits free trade.”

7. monetary/ˈmʌn.ɪ.tər.i/

   “The bank set monetary policy.”

8. shares/ʃeəz/

   “She bought shares in the firm.”

9. stock market/ˈstɒk ˌmɑː.kɪt/

   “The stock market crashed.”

10. downturn/ˈdaʊn.tɜːn/

    “The downturn hit small firms.”

11. prosperity/prɒsˈper.ɪ.ti/

    “The reforms brought prosperity.”

12. affluence/ˈæf.lu.əns/

    “They live in great affluence.”

13. livelihood/ˈlaɪv.li.hʊd/

    “Fishing is their main livelihood.”

14. globalisation/ˌɡləʊ.bəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

    “Globalisation links world markets.”

15. equity/ˈek.wɪ.ti/

    “They built up equity in the house.”

16. barter/ˈbɑː.tə/

    “They barter goods instead of using money.”

17. productivity/ˌprɒd.ʌkˈtɪv.ɪ.ti/

    “Productivity rose last year.”

18. capitalism/ˈkæp.ɪ.təl.ɪ.zəm/

    “He criticised modern capitalism.”

19. socialism/ˈsəʊ.ʃəl.ɪ.zəm/

    “The party believes in socialism.”

20. marketplace/ˈmɑː.kɪt.pleɪs/

    “The global marketplace is fierce.”

21. outlay/ˈaʊt.leɪ/

    “The initial outlay was huge.”

22. creditor/ˈkred.ɪ.tə/

    “The bank is his main creditor.”

23. debtor/ˈdet.ə/

    “The debtor failed to pay.”

24. austerity/ɔːˈster.ɪ.ti/

    “Austerity cut public spending.”

25. speculator/ˈspek.jə.leɪ.tə/

    “A speculator bought the land.”

26. lending/ˈlen.dɪŋ/

    “Bank lending increased.”

27. remuneration/rɪˌmjuː.nəˈreɪ.ʃən/

    “The remuneration is generous.”

28. deregulation/ˌdiː.reɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

    “Deregulation opened the market.”

29. bubble/ˈbʌb.əl/

    “The housing bubble burst.”

30. devaluation/ˌdiː.væl.juˈeɪ.ʃən/

    “Devaluation made imports costly.”

31. interest rate/ˈɪn.trəst ˌreɪt/

    “The interest rate was cut.”

32. hedge/hedʒ/

    “Gold can hedge against inflation.”

33. accumulate/əˈkjuː.mjə.leɪt/

    “He managed to accumulate a fortune.”

34. sector/ˈsek.tə/

    “The tech sector is booming.”

35. shortage/ˈʃɔː.tɪdʒ/

    “There is a fuel shortage.”

36. grant/ɡrɑːnt/

    “The university received a grant.”

37. output/ˈaʊt.pʊt/

    “Factory output increased.”

38. margin/ˈmɑː.dʒɪn/

    “They work on a very thin margin.”

39. cost of living/ˌkɒst əv ˈlɪv.ɪŋ/

    “The cost of living keeps rising.”

40. cartel/kɑːˈtel/

    “The oil cartel set prices.”

41. stagnant/ˈstæɡ.nənt/

    “Wages have been stagnant.”

42. liquidity/lɪˈkwɪd.ɪ.ti/

    “The bank needs more liquidity.”

43. taxable/ˈtæk.sə.bəl/

    “Only part of it is taxable.”

44. volatile/ˈvɒl.ə.taɪl/

    “Oil prices are very volatile.”

45. raw materials/ˌrɔː məˈtɪə.ri.əlz/

    “Factories need raw materials.”

46. financier/faɪˈnæn.si.ə/

    “A financier funded the deal.”

47. bailout/ˈbeɪl.aʊt/

    “The bank received a bailout.”

48. allocate/ˈæl.ə.keɪt/

    “They allocate funds each year.”

49. overspend/ˌəʊ.vəˈspend/

    “Do not overspend this month.”

50. economist/ɪˈkɒn.ə.mɪst/

    “The economist predicted growth.”