50 Examples of Economic Institutions

John Spacey, updated on January 03, 2024

Economic institutions are complex and durable features of society that are important to the economy. These exist at the global, national, regional and local level and range from central banks that control money supplies and interest rates down to small businesses and families that play an enduring economic role. Economic institutions are each part of the global economy and provide stability by virtue of their durability. The following are common examples of economic institutions.

Antitrust Authorities	Banks
Bullion Banks	Businesses
Census Bureaus	Chambers of Commerce
Clearinghouses	Commodity Exchanges
Consumer Protection Agencies	Credit Card Companies
Credit Rating Agencies	Credit Unions
Currency Boards	Department of Commerce
Families	Family Offices
Financial Technology Companies	Government-Sponsored Enterprises
Hedge Funds	Industry Associations
Insurance Companies	Intellectual Property Offices
International Development Banks	International Monetary Fund
International Trade Organizations	Investment Banks
Labor Unions	Land Registries
Markets	Mutual Funds
National Statistics Offices	Payment Platforms
Pension Funds	Price Control Boards
Private Equity Firms	Product Certifications
Professional Associations	Real Estate Investment Trusts
Regional Development Banks	Regulatory Agencies
Research Centers	Social Security Systems
Sovereign Wealth Funds	Standards Organizations
Stock Exchanges	Tax Authorities
Tourism Boards	Universities
Venture Capital Firms	World Trade Organization

Summary

Economic institutions are complex and enduring structures that are important to the economy. As these are complex, they are difficult to replicate such that they can help to explain the difference between advanced and developing economies. As they are enduring, they help to provide economic stability over time.