The exam covers key topics in economic statistics, including national accounts, sectoral and labor statistics, international trade, monetary and financial indicators, and the role of global institutions. It emphasizes data interpretation, economic aggregates, globalization effects, and the use of statistical systems for policy and economic analysis.
Course program
The Importance of Economic Statistics Post-WWII Economic Data Development Globalization and Data Complexity The Future of Economic Statistics Basic Economic Concepts Economic Agents: Households, Enterprises, and Government National Accounts and Economic Aggregates Prices, Index Numbers, and Time Series International and OECD Statistical Systems Sectoral Statistics: Agriculture, Energy, and Industry Government Expenditure, Public Debt, and Social Spending Science, Technology, and Innovation Statistics Globalization: International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Labor Statistics and Income Distribution Monetary and Financial Statistics Assessing the Quality of Economic Data.
Weeks 1-2: The Demand for Economic Statistics Introduction to economic statistics and their importance in decision-making (Chapter 1). From post-WWII development to globalization and beyond (Chapters 1.1-1.3).
Weeks 3-4: Economic Concepts and Agents Key economic concepts: production, consumption, and investment (Chapter 2.1). Economic agents: households, enterprises, and government (Chapters 2.2.1-2.2.3).
Weeks 5-6: National Accounts and Aggregates Economic aggregates: production, consumption, capital formation, and net foreign demand (Chapter 2.3). Current prices vs. constant prices, index numbers, and time series (Chapters 2.4-2.6).
Weeks 7-8: International and OECD Statistical Systems Overview of international statistical systems (IMF, OECD, World Bank) (Chapter 3.1-3.2). How these organizations standardize and distribute economic data.
Weeks 9-10: Sectoral Statistics Agriculture, energy, industry, and services statistics (Chapters 4.1-4.3). Importance of sectoral data in policy-making and business decisions.
Weeks 11-12: Government, Social Expenditure, and Debt Government expenditure, social expenditure, public debt, and taxation (Chapter 4.4). Understanding fiscal policies through economic data.
Weeks 13-14: Science, Technology, and Innovation Research and development (R&D), patents, and biotechnology statistics (Chapter 4.5). How technological advancements are measured and their impact on the economy.
Weeks 15-16: Globalization and International Trade Foreign direct investment (FDI), international trade, and the role of multinational corporations (Chapter 4.6).
Weeks 17-18: Monetary, Financial, and Labor Statistics Interest rates, monetary aggregates, labor statistics, and income distribution (Chapters 4.7-4.8).
Weeks 19-20: Review and Exam Preparation Final review of key topics covered throughout the course. Group-based exercises and discussions to prepare for the final assessment.
