The economy in Civilization V is a complex system that underpins every aspect of your civilization’s growth and success. From the early game where you’re struggling to afford your first settler, to the late game where you’re swimming in gold from your international trade empire, managing your economy effectively is crucial.

At its most basic, the economy in Civilization V revolves around gold. Gold is used for a variety of purposes: purchasing units and buildings, maintaining your military, bribing city-states, and more. Gold is primarily generated by your cities, with factors like population, buildings, and worked tiles all contributing to your income.

Trade routes, introduced in the Brave New World expansion, add significant depth to the economic system. Internal trade routes can boost a city’s food or production, helping new cities grow quickly or core cities build wonders faster. International trade routes generate gold for both parties, with the amount depending on factors like distance, resources, and religious differences.

Luxury resources play a crucial role in the economy. Each unique luxury resource provides happiness to your empire, allowing for further growth. Excess luxuries can be traded to other civilizations for gold or other resources. Strategic management of luxury resources can keep your empire happy and wealthy.

Strategic resources, while primarily used for military units, also have economic implications. Civilizations will often pay premium prices for strategic resources they lack, making them a valuable trade commodity.

The Market and Bank buildings, along with their upgraded versions, provide significant boosts to a city’s gold output. The Mint building generates gold from nearby gold and silver resources. Careful city planning to take advantage of these bonuses can dramatically increase your income.

Wonders can have a major impact on your economy. The Colossus and Petra provide substantial gold bonuses to their cities, while wonders like Machu Picchu and the Forbidden Palace provide empire-wide economic benefits.

Religion, introduced in the Gods & Kings expansion, can also influence your economy. Certain religious beliefs can provide gold from followers, buildings, or even trade routes, allowing for interesting economic strategies centered around spreading your religion.

Diplomacy plays a significant role in the economy of Civilization V. Trading excess luxury and strategic resources can provide a steady income stream. Research agreements require a significant gold investment but can boost your scientific progress. Bribing city-states can provide various benefits, from resources to military units.