Cyprus National Competition for the International Economics Olympiad (IEO) 2026

The Cyprus University of Technology proudly announces the 2026 National Competition – “Manage Your Finances Smartly, Build Your Future Wisely”, which will determine the national team representing Cyprus at the International Economics Olympiad (IEO) 2026, to be held in Suzhou, China.

This international competition invites motivated high school students from across Cyprus — from any academic orientation — who are curious about economics, finance, and business. Participants will embark on a unique learning journey designed to develop economic reasoning, financial literacy, analytical thinking, problem-solving solving and teamwork.

Competition Overview

The competition is structured in three progressive phases, combining learning, challenge, and collaboration:

Phase 1 – Intuition Challenge (Aptitude & Economic Reasoning Exam)

A multiple-choice exam designed to assess analytical intuition and structured reasoning in real-world economic and financial situations. Students with studies in economics or finance may have an advantage, yet, the core focus of this phase is on critical thinking, decision-making, and logic. Importantly, this phase is not designed to test knowledge of taught economics material, but rather the ability to think critically and reason effectively using the information provided.

Questions will be structured to provide all the relevant information through short scenarios, data snippets, newspaper clippings, and mini cases, enabling students to apply reasoning rather than rely on memorized economics theory.

This design ensures that motivated students from any field of study can meaningfully participate and compete for qualification to the next phase, as we are looking for those who can understand situations holistically, think smartly under pressure, and demonstrate critical thinking and sound judgment.

The exam will cover theme areas, such as:

Economics

1. Prices, Markets and Choices

2. The Role of Governments in Markets

3. Reading the Economy: GDP, Inflation and Jobs

4. Money and the Role of Banks

5. Society and Sustainability: Environment and Inequality

6. International Trade: Why Countries Cooperate and Sometimes Protect

Finance

1. Smart Money Choices: Planning, Spending and Saving

2. Saving for the Future: How Money Grows Over Time

3. Borrowing Wisely: Credit and Responsibility

4. Investment: Risk and Reward

Phase 2 – Bootcamp: The Knockout Round

Qualified students (20 in total with the highest grades from Phase 1) will participate in a dynamic one-day bootcamp, developing teamwork and applying concepts through interactive sessions and challenges on Economics and Finance. Students will be examined at the end of the day with a Group Challenge and a Multiple-Choice exam.

Phase 3 – National Final: Economics, Finance & Business Case Challenge

The top ten (10) students will experience a series of workshops leading up to a group business case challenge and oral examination judged by experts from academia and the private sector.

Registration & Key Dates

· Registration Opens: 10 December 2025

· Registration Closes: 27 January 2026

· Phase 1 Exam @ CUT: 31 January 2026

· Location: Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol

For registration details, sample questions, and updates, visit: Διεθνής Οικονομική Ολυμπιάδα - ΤΜΗΜΑ ΧΡΗΜΑΤΟΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΗΣ, ΛΟΓΙΣΤΙΚΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΗΣ