Free teaching resources about currencies and the Big Mac index

Published 28 March 2025

About this lesson

The Big Mac index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as a guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. Every year the index compares the price of a McDonald’s “Big Mac” hamburger in different countries around the world.

Skills and knowledge

Every lesson has a skill and knowledge focus. Click to see this lesson's focus and some of the questions students will answer

Creativity
- Step 3: I generate ideas when I've been given a clear brief
  Did you generate ideas about what might be a better product to compare than a
  Big Mac?
- Step 6: I use creativity in the context of work
  In what ways did you show creativity in your discussions?
- Step 11: I innovate effectively when working in a group
  Did you work effectively with your team to come up with a new index idea?
Knowledge

I know what the Big Mac index is and how it is used to help people
compare currencies
What is the Big Mac Index? How is it used?