The events of 2023

Explore the events that shaped 2023, month by month and through the lens of public opinion. We look back on the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the boom of ChatGPT, the pink wave of Barbie, and more, considering their wider implications along the way.


Global views on inflation

February: One year on, is war still to blame for rising prices?

Between confidence and confusion

March: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is charged with abuse of power and money laundering

Demographic matters

April: President Macron pushes through an increase in France’s retirement age, despite four months of protests

Pride and prejudice

May: As King Charles III is crowned as Britain’s monarch, we ask ourselves, “what makes nations ‘attractive’?”

We are not the same

June: The different global reactions to the missing Titan submersible vs the Messenia migrant boat disaster raises questions about the changing shape of inequality

Moving forward

July: The ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off

The pink wave

August: Barbie hits the $1 billion mark at the global box office

Driving change

September: The United Auto Workers strike reminds us that every transition has a cost

A more dangerous place

October: An escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine puts geopolitical instability front and centre