Learn Danish: Dernæst skal vi tale om økonomien. - Next, we will talk about the economy.

Dernæst is an adverb meaning subsequently or next in order. It is slightly more formal and structured than så (then), making it perfect for going through an agenda. You cannot use næste here, because næste is an adjective used to describe a noun, like in næste gang (next time).

Doesn't skal usually mean must or have to? Why is it translated as will?

While skal often expresses obligation, it is also one of the main ways to express future plans and intentions in Danish. In the context of a meeting agenda, skal vi tale simply means we are going to talk or we will talk, without any strict sense of obligation.

Why is the word order skal vi instead of vi skal?

This is a classic example of the Danish V2 rule, which requires the verb to be the second element in a main clause. Because the sentence starts with the adverb Dernæst, the modal verb skal takes the second spot, and the subject vi is pushed after it.

Does økonomien only refer to the national economy, or can it mean something else here?

It can mean both the national economy and specific finances! Depending on the context, økonomien can refer to the macroeconomic system of a country or the budget and finances of a company, project, or household. The -en suffix on the base word økonomi makes it definite.