41401 – Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts

Lead statement

Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts conduct research, monitor data, analyze information and prepare reports and plans to resolve economic and business problems and develop models to analyze, explain and forecast economic behaviour and patterns. They advise on matters such as finance, fiscal and monetary policy, international trade, agricultural and natural resource commodities and labour and industrial markets.

Main duties

• Conduct research and develop models to analyze, explain and forecast economic behaviour and patterns, and devise methods for collection and analysis of data
• Forecast production and consumption of specific products and services based on records of past production and consumption and general economic and industry-specific conditions
• Prepare forecasts of income and expenditure, interest rates and exchange rates
• Analyze factors which determine economic growth and advise government agencies on policies to increase economic activities
• Analyze factors which determine labour force participation, employment, wages, unemployment and other labour market outcomes
• Study mathematical formulae and statistical techniques and apply them to the testing and quantifying of economic theories and the solution of economic problems
• Study the nature of money, credit and the operation of banks and other financial institutions to develop monetary policies and forecasts of financial activity
• Monitor economic data to assess the effectiveness, and advise on the appropriateness, of monetary and fiscal policies
• Examine problems related to the economic activity of individual companies
• Examine financial methods, production costs and techniques and marketing policies to recommend possible improvements
• Examine statistical data on the exchange of goods and services among nations
• Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption and depletion of non-renewable resources
• Conduct research on market conditions in local, regional or national area to set sales and pricing levels for goods and services, to assess market potential and future trends and to develop business strategies
• Monitor regional and local economic trends
• Study regulatory processes and provide material in support of legal proceedings with government and other parties.

Employment requirements

• A master's degree in economics or in a related discipline such as business administration or statistics is usually required.
• A doctorate in economics may be required.

Example job titles

agricultural economist · farm economist · economic analyst · fiscal economics analyst · business economist · development economist · econometrician · economic research group supervisor · economic policy researcher · general economist · natural resources economist · financial economist · forest economist · health economist · industrial economist · industrial relations economist · industrial trade economist · international trade economist · investment economist · human resources economist · land use economist · mathematical economist · price economist · resource economist · social economist · trade analyst · trade economist · transport economist · welfare economist · salary analyst - economic policy · wage analyst - economic policy · economic advisor · consumer advisor - economics · tax economist · economic policy analyst · forest resources economist · labour economist · labour market information analyst · business analyst - economics · economic consultant

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.