Economic Events

Hamas attack on Israel triggering military response in Gaza. Regional instability affecting shipping routes and oil markets.

Armed conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF causing humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse.

Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Credit Suisse forced takeover. Interest rate rises exposing duration risk.

Rapid AI advancement leading to significant job displacement in knowledge work, customer service, and creative industries. ChatGPT and generative AI disrupting traditional employment.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a major global economic shock, particularly affecting energy and food markets. Unprecedented Western sanctions on Russia.

Russia-Ukraine war triggering global food crisis, with 828 million facing hunger. Wheat and fertilizer export disruptions causing price spikes.

Climate change causing widespread crop failures, droughts in Europe and US, floods in Pakistan, heatwaves in India reducing yields.

Post-pandemic inflation surge reaching multi-decade highs in many countries, driven by supply chain issues, energy prices, and expansive monetary policies.

Escalating cyber attacks on critical infrastructure including SolarWinds attack, Colonial Pipeline ransomware, and state-sponsored operations targeting financial systems and government networks.

The worst global economic downturn since the Great Depression, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and social distancing measures led to massive economic disruption.

Mounting debt crisis in developing nations due to COVID borrowing, rising interest rates, and dollar strength. IMF/World Bank conditionality constraining policy options.

An ongoing economic conflict between the United States and China involving tariffs and trade barriers on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

The UK voted to leave the European Union, causing immediate market turmoil and long-term economic uncertainty.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange lost over 30% of its value within one month. Government intervention included trading halts and buying of stocks by state entities.

Severe water stress affecting agriculture, industry, and human survival in 72 countries. Climate change exacerbating groundwater depletion and drought conditions.

Oil prices fell from over $100 per barrel to below $30, causing severe economic stress in oil-dependent economies.

Largest Ebola outbreak in history affecting Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. 28,616 cases, 11,310 deaths.

A multi-year debt crisis affecting several Eurozone countries, particularly Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Cyprus, who were unable to repay or refinance their government debt.

First pandemic of the 21st century caused by H1N1 influenza virus. 1.4 billion infected, 284,000 deaths worldwide.

The most severe global financial crisis since the Great Depression. Triggered by the collapse of the US housing bubble and subprime mortgage market, leading to major bank failures and a worldwide recession.