A largely subsistence economy -the culture was inextricably tied to the islands' ecosystem.

The choice of coastal sites also suggests a dual subsistence economy, relying on both fishing and agriculture.

Also in a subsistence economy, there is little need for money, and most trade was done through barter.

Unlike Ireland, Greece has little capacity for generating surplus wealth: despite urbanisation, it remains largely a subsistence economy tied to its rural past.

The West African economy was a subsistence economy, and therefore people were basically satisfied with the status quo and saw no point in accumulating wealth.