The Inquiry
BBC World ServiceThe Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 608 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | News CommentaryNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
Just under 20 years ago Kenya pioneered the use of mobile money. Since then, other countries in Africa have carved out a share of the digital market for themselves, from gaming in Morocco to artificial intelligence in Tunisia. But the picture is not ... more
River systems around the world are under stress from various factors ranging from pollution, to agriculture, to extractive industries. In some parts of the world there are regulations to help protect rivers, but in a lot of cases these are just preve... more
In July 2026, tens of thousands of students took to the streets in India’s capital, demanding reforms to education. The protests followed the leak of medical entrance exam papers but quickly grew to reflect wider concerns about job opportunities for ... more
In September, Morocco’s citizens will go to the polls for the country’s general election. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with a multi-party-political system. A new head of government will be appointed by King Mohammed VI, from the winning part... more
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Reviews
- Fantastic podcast! Been listening for years
Always fascinating. Appreciate the experts and in-depth knowledge and great interviews. Thanks for the hard work and a stellar podcast!
Apple Podcasts5Never clean enough
United States7 months ago - Disappointed by who is centred in conversation
There is an episode on Cyprus that fails to interview a Greek Cypriot (but interviews a Greek and a Turkish Cypriot first). That’s just one example of the bias that is leeching into this podcast. Numerous episodes centre certain voices over others and fail to meet basic journalistic standards. I’m a big fan of the layout of this podcast and much of the content, but more effort should be made to ensure accuracy, fairness, balance and impartiality.
Apple Podcasts1RylieJames1
Australia9 months ago - Superficial. Pointless.
Not sure why the BBC persists with this programme. The last episode on “climate change / migration” was just a joke. No analysis. So called “experts” talking out of their nether regions and was as useful as a hole in the head. If you cannot produce an accurate, analytical, and reliable “inquiry” (yes, the clue is in the title), don’t bother. Save the licence fee payer some money!
Apple Podcasts1Vitas7890
United Kingdom10 months ago - Cringe
Wow, BBC is so incredibly out of touch, it’s embarrassing. So now we’re implying that conservatives in Japan, who you know absolutely nothing about, must be homophobic, sexist, conspiracy theorists just because they vote differently? There’s nothing wrong with being a conservative voter. Your country is full of them, open your eyes! Sadly, this isn’t surprising in the least, it is however hilarious that your “inclusive” and “non-racist” virtue signaling goes out the window as soon as someone ide... more
Apple Podcasts1Original_OwlUnited Statesa year ago - Best Podcast for English learner, subscribed for it
It is my favorite podcast. It is not too fast, and experts pronounce very clearly. I like it mostly.
Apple Podcasts5yuiihhyyhhhUnited States2 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #249 | United States/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #33 | United Kingdom/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #81 |  Canada/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #226 | United Kingdom/News |
Apple Podcasts | #52 | Australia/News/News Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #59 |  Germany/News/News Commentary |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Inquiry
What is The Inquiry about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show presents in-depth conversations that move beyond headlines to explore underlying trends, forces, and ideas shaping global events. Recent episodes span topics from Moroccan elections and governance reform to daylight saving time, Indigenous education, extreme heat, illicit gold, gene therapy access, and gender policy. A recurring strength is featuring a mix of policy researchers, academia, and subject-matter experts who provide historical context, data-driven analysis, and practical implications for audiences ranging from policymakers to professionals seeking deeper understanding of complex issues. The format tends to balance rigorous interview-style inquiry with accessible explanations, often highlighting cross-border comparisons a... more
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How many listeners does The Inquiry get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Inquiry?
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How many subscribers and views does The Inquiry have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The Inquiry has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to The Inquiry?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Inquiry:
1. The Documentary Podcast
2. Witness History
3. From Our Own Correspondent
4. BBC Inside Science
5. More or Less
How many episodes of The Inquiry are there?
The Inquiry launched 12 years ago and published 608 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Inquiry?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Inquiry?
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What guests have appeared on The Inquiry?
Recent guests on The Inquiry include:
1. Erin O'Donnell
2. Pierre-Olivier Boudreault
3. Naveeda Khan
4. Nick Mount
5. Sadanand Dhume
6. Ruchi Gupta
7. Dr. Chitij Bajpaee
8. Rahul Verma
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.