David McWilliams
David McWilliams is a premier global economist, author, and journalist recognized as one of Ireland's most influential economic commentators. He currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Global Economics at Trinity College Dublin and is the voice behind The David McWilliams Podcast, a chart-topping series that has surpassed 42 million downloads. His mission is to "de-jargonize" economics, making complex financial trends accessible to a global audience. McWilliams is a prolific author of six bestsellers, including his 2024 international #1 hit, Money: A Story of Humanity, which provides an expansive history of money as a social technology. Beyond the page, McWilliams is a pioneer in "edutainment" as the co-founder of the Dalkey Book Festival and the creator of Kilkenomics, the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival. Described by the Financial Times as "the best economics conference in the world," Kilkenomics celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2025, continuing its tradition of pairing Nobel-winning thinkers with world-class comedians to debate the future of global capital. Before becoming a leading public intellectual, McWilliams built an extensive career in international banking and central planning, providing him with a practitioner's view of global markets.
David McWilliams Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and Host
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Adjunct Professor of Global Economics
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Head of Emerging Markets Research
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Senior European Economist
Academic History
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BA, Economics
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Writer, The Irish Times
Adjunct Professor, Trinity College Dublin
Co-Founder, Kilkenomics
Co-Founder, Dalkey Book Festival
MARKET PREDICTIONS & GLOBAL INFLUENCE
David McWilliams has earned an international reputation for his ability to identify structural shifts in the global economy long before they enter the mainstream.
He was the first economist to identify the Irish "Celtic Tiger" boom as a credit bubble, accurately warning of its collapse years before the 2008 global financial crisis.
His foresight extends beyond domestic markets: he was a solitary voice in accurately forecasting the outcome of the UK Brexit referendum and the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
As of 2026, McWilliams is recognized as one of the most influential economists globally. He currently holds a top 10 ranking on the Richtopia list of the world's most influential economists, a testament to his digital reach and intellectual impact.
His 2026 thesis focuses on the "Techno-Feudal" shift in the global economy, where he argues that the concentration of risk in U.S. tech giants represents a significant jeopardy to global trade stability.
MEDIA PRESENCE & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
David McWilliams is a dominant voice in international media, maintaining a massive digital footprint through his chart-topping podcast and educational platforms.
He was previously named Ireland’s most influential social media user and continues to pioneer financial literacy through Economics without Boundaries, an online course, and Punk Economics, a viral series of animated videos that simplify global issues.
A regular columnist for The Irish Times and a contributor to The Financial Times, he is a prolific author of six bestsellers, including the 2024 international hit Money: A Story of Humanity. This latest work was selected as the book of the year by both The Financial Times and The Economist, reinforcing his status as a leading public intellectual.
Beyond his writing, McWilliams is a compelling speaker and documentarian who has successfully brought economics to the stage through sell-out stand-up shows.
Recognized by Richtopia as the sixth most influential economist in the world, he remains at the forefront of global discourse, utilizing his platform to address the "techno-feudal" shifts and geopolitical ruptures defining the 2026 economic landscape.