The Big Mac index

How can McDonald’s “Big Mac” hamburger help economists? Discuss the Big Mac Index – a global gauge of currency value through the world’s most iconic burger.

Collage of pages from the “The Big Mac index” teaching resource showing the cover and lesson plan

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.

Use this lesson to help students:

  • Understand what the Big Mac Index is
  • Consider why the Big Mac was chosen
  • Debate whether there is a better item for a global index.

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?

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