World-Building Questionnaire: Economy and Trade

World-building questionnaires are vital for fleshing out a fictional world. They help fantasy writers create immersive settings and are also invaluable for historical fiction authors who are getting to know their period and setting. A well-developed world adds depth and authenticity, making the story more engaging for readers.

Understanding your world’s economy and trade is crucial. It affects the wealth distribution, power dynamics, and daily lives of your characters. Knowing these systems can help you create a believable and consistent world.

Currency and Trade Systems

1. What forms of currency are used in your world?
2. How is the value of currency determined and maintained?
3. Are there different currencies in different regions? How are exchange rates handled?
4. What goods and services are commonly traded?
5. How are trade routes established and maintained?

Economic Structure

6. What are the main industries and sources of wealth?
7. How is the economy structured (capitalist, socialist, feudal)?
8. Who controls the major industries and resources?
9. How does the government influence or regulate the economy?
10. Are there any monopolies or major corporations?

Markets and Trade Hubs

11. Where are the major marketplaces and trade hubs located?
12. How do these centers of trade influence the surrounding areas?
13. What goods are most commonly bought and sold in these markets?
14. How are prices determined and negotiated?
15. Are there any significant trade fairs or events?

Labor and Employment

16. What are the common professions and trades in your world?
17. How is labor organized and divided?
18. What are the working conditions like for different professions?
19. How do people find and secure employment?
20. Are there any significant labor unions or workers' movements?

Wealth and Social Class

21. How is wealth distributed among the population?
22. What are the major social classes, and how do they interact?
23. How does wealth affect social status and mobility?
24. Are there any significant disparities in wealth and power?
25. How is poverty addressed or mitigated?

Trade Relations and Policies

26. How do different regions or nations engage in trade with each other?
27. What trade agreements or treaties are in place?
28. Are there any trade disputes or conflicts?
29. How do tariffs and trade barriers affect the economy?
30. What role do merchants and traders play in society?

Resources and Production

31. What natural resources are available, and how are they utilized?
32. How are goods produced and manufactured?
33. What technologies or methods are used in production?
34. Are there any significant imports or exports?
35. How do resource availability and scarcity affect trade?

Prestige and Power

36. Which resources are most valued? Which are considered precious?
37. Which trade goods are more likely to be hoarded? Or stolen?
38. What are the features of the black market and organized crime in this society?
39. How does the ruling class safeguard their wealth and punish challenges to their power?
40. How is wealth and prestige demonstrated in terms of personal and domestic adornments?

A world-building questionnaire helps you unearth details that may not appear directly in your story. However, having these details in your mind will make your world more authentic and vibrant.

Jump to another world-building questionnaire:

• Geography and Environment
• Government and Politics
• Economy and Trade
• Daily Life and Customs
• Religion and Belief Systems
• History and Lore
• Language and Communication
• Technology and Magic

David Griffin Brown is an award-winning short fiction writer and co-author of Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling. He holds a BA in anthropology from UVic and an MFA in creative writing from UBC, and his writing has been published in literary magazines such as the Malahat Review and Grain. In 2022, he was the recipient of a New Artist grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. David founded Darling Axe Editing in 2018, and as part of his Book Broker interview series, he has compiled querying advice from over 100 literary agents. He lives in Victoria, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.