It could be for some of the most competitive economics courses......as far as applications go, some may... dispute that but it's my view.
In practice probably not, because economics math is difficult, but because it usually involves practical examples... Most can get there head around it, with a bit of determination....
First year is generally just a foundational year of skills needed for subsequent years in the "meat of the degree" years two and three....meaning even if you were slightly behind the rest of the cohort eventually by the end of year one, you'll be trained up by your university so succeed.