The truth about affordability
Voters in rich countries are angry about prices. Politicians could make things worse
SLOP, PARASOCIAL and rage bait were contenders for word of the year in 2025. In 2026 an early favourite for that title, at least among pollsters and election strategists, is “affordability”, often paired with the word “crisis”. Having at last found a slogan that seems to work against the spell of Trumpism, Democrats will talk of little else between now and the midterms in November. In Europe, which is better at reposting American memes than coming up with fresh ones, there is talk of a cost-of-living crisis. A transatlantic consensus is forming that prices are out of whack. But are they?
Explore more
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The angst over affordability”
From the January 3rd 2026 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the edition
Britain and the EU should be bolder in getting closer
How post-Brexit Britain should approach relations with its nearest and biggest market
The future of space exploration depends on better biology
Rockets are great, but sewage treatment is what you need for the long haul
Brazil’s President Lula should not run again
As Joe Biden showed, candidates over 80 carry huge risks
OpenAI’s cash burn will be one of the big bubble questions of 2026
There is a dark side to the model-maker’s stunning growth
Your Well Informed guide to surviving Christmas
Drink slowly, eat cake and remember that fun is good for you, too
The Economist’s country of the year for 2025
Which country improved the most this year?
