Media Release RBA/ESA Economics Competition 2012

The Reserve Bank of Australia today launches its 2012 RBA/ESA Economics Competition in conjunction with the Economic Society of Australia (ESA) and the UNSW Economics Society. The competition is for Australian university students and each year challenges them to examine important and topical economic issues affecting Australia.

The essay topic for this year is China's Economic Performance. China's economic growth over the past 30 years has been rapid, with its share of global output rising from 2 per cent in 1980 to 13½ per cent in 2010. China has surpassed Japan as Australia's major trading partner in recent years, accounting for 23 per cent of the value of Australia's exports and 15 per cent of Australia's imports in 2010.

What are the main forces driving economic growth in China? Discuss the relative importance of productivity growth, investment and capital accumulation, demographic factors and economic policy. What are the prospects for future growth and what are the implications for Australia?

The competition is open to students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited university in Australia. The prizes for first and second place are $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. There is also a prize of $500 for the best essay from a first-year student. Entries must be submitted by Friday, 24 August 2012.

For more details about the competition, students should refer to the information pack available on the Economics Society of Australia and the UNSW Economics Society websites.