Raworth was born in 1970 to a florist mother and a businessman father; she has an older sister, Sophie.

[4] She then studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Oxford, influenced by Andrew Graham.

Raworth argues for a radical re-consideration of the foundations of economic science, and is particularly critical of the outdated principle of unfettered growth, in that it is destructive of planetary resources while ill-serving human needs including quality of life.

[12] Instead of focusing on the growth of the economy, Raworth focuses on a model where there can be ensured that everyone on earth has access to their basic needs, such as adequate food and education, while not limiting opportunities for future generations by protecting the ecosystem.

[16] In this role, she serves as a strategic advisor to the Doughnut Hub: a place where students, lecturers, and researchers, in collaboration with stakeholders in the Amsterdam area, develop knowledge based on the principles of her work.