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What is Economic Risk?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Economic risk is a nebulous term with a variety of definitions. In a nutshell, it is the risk that an endeavor will be economically unsustainable, for a variety of reasons ranging from a change in economic trends to fraudulent activities which ruin the outcome of the project. Before starting projects, economic risk has to be considered to determine whether or not the potential risks are outweighed by the benefits.

There are a variety of ways to look at economic risk, with an assortment of modeling systems. In a simple example, imagine a planned housing development. The risk in this case is that the profits from the development will not cover the costs of the development, leaving the developer in debt. This can occur because of downturns in the real estate market, unexpected cost overruns, lack of interest in the housing, and a variety of other factors.

There are a variety of ways to examine economic risk.
There are a variety of ways to examine economic risk.

People can try to predict economic risk, but they are not always successful. Economies are notoriously fickle, and they do not necessarily follow patterns which can be followed or mapped out ahead of time. The risks that a project will not repay itself increase with the size of the project, and they also get larger the longer it takes for a project to be completed. Costs of production, for example, tend to go up, which means that every year a project runs over schedule, the more costly it becomes.

Economic risk is a nebulous term with a variety of definitions.
Economic risk is a nebulous term with a variety of definitions.

Economists who act as consultants can command a hefty fee for their services when they are asked to map out economic risk. In addition to predicting risks, economists can also come up with suggestions which may reduce risk. In the housing development example above, for example, an economist might recommend preselling a set percentage of units before breaking ground to make sure that the project will have enough funds to take it through to completion.

Investors need to balance risk with the expected return on their investments.
Investors need to balance risk with the expected return on their investments.

Investors also look at economic risks when considering things like making loans, doing business with another country, or even sending aid supplies to other nations. Risk on a national level can be an important consideration for potential investing partners and lenders who are reluctant to work with countries which appear to be economically unstable. Balanced with this risk is the very real problem that a nation which is economically unstable may have trouble getting assistance, which in turn increases economic risk for other investors, because the country lacks support.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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Discussion Comments

anon219826

what are some examples of economic risks please?

sneakers41

Bhutan - I also think that the sovereign risk is important to consider as well.

If a country is unable to make its financial obligations then this is also a huge risk that other governments and investors will consider when choosing to invest in the country.

Bhutan

What is really important is to conduct a country risk analysis in order to determine which countries pose the highest risk.

I think that you have to consider political risk with respect to the stability of the nation as well as economic risk. If the country has high inflation, taxes, and interest rates because of a devaluation of currency this country will be looked at as having a high economic risk.

If you continue the analysis and there are frequent governmental changes and the country is developing conflicts with other countries then the political risk in this country would be high as well.

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    • There are a variety of ways to examine economic risk.
      By: Kenishirotie
      There are a variety of ways to examine economic risk.
    • Economic risk is a nebulous term with a variety of definitions.
      By: Rehan Qureshi
      Economic risk is a nebulous term with a variety of definitions.
    • Investors need to balance risk with the expected return on their investments.
      By: adrian_ilie825
      Investors need to balance risk with the expected return on their investments.