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Economist

Also called macro analyst, econophysicist, econometrician

Economists perform research and develop theories in the field of economics, whether for microeconomic or macroeconomic analysis. They study trends, analyse statistical data, and to some extent work with economic mathematical models in order to advise companies, governments, and related institutions. They advise on product feasibility, trend forecasts, emerging markets, tax policies, and consumer trends.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects33 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Legal, social and cultural professionalsWhat does it pay?Above averageFrom about €1,800 (Bulgaria) to €8,800 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Legal, social and cultural professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree9 in 10 have a degree.Legal, social and cultural professionalsWill AI change it?SignificantlyLevel 5 of 6. AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.Economists · ILO

What you'd do

Economists · ILO
  • Forecasting changes in the economic environment for short-term budgeting, long-term planning and investment evaluation
  • Formulating recommendations, policies and plans for the economy, corporate strategies and investment, and undertaking feasibility studies for projects
  • Monitoring economic data to assess the effectiveness, and advise on the appropriateness, of monetary and fiscal policies
  • Forecasting production and consumption of specific products and services based on records of past production and consumption and general economic and industry-specific conditions
  • Preparing forecasts of income and expenditure, interest rates and exchange rates
  • Analysing factors that determine labour force participation, employment, wages, unemployment and other labour market outcomes
  • Applying mathematical formulae and statistical techniques and apply to test economic theories and devise solutions to economic problems
  • Compiling, analysing and interpreting economic data using economic theory and a variety of statistical and other techniques
  • Evaluating the outcome of political decisions concerning public economy and finances and advising on economic policy and possible courses of action in the light of past, present and projected economic factors and trends
  • Preparing scholarly papers and reports
  • Examining problems related to the economic activities of individual companies
  • Conducting research on market conditions in local, regional or national areas to set sales and pricing levels for goods and services, to assess market potential and future trends and to develop business strategies
Apply scientific methodsMentor individualsPublish academic researchCommunicate with a non-scientific audienceIntegrate gender dimension in research+ 31 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Varied tasks, little repetition
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Economists"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as legal, social and cultural professionals in the EU
5.41m6.54m7.02m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
354,000 new jobs 1,872,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Legal, social and cultural professionals33
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of economists, 10 a surplus.
Economists · EURES

What does it pay?

Above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €8,800 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of legal, social and cultural professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 87%Vocational 6%General secondary 5%Basic schooling 2%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Significantly

AI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.55 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 12 tasks
Analysing factors that determine labour force participation, employment, wages, unemployment and other labour market outcomes0.65
Compiling, analysing and interpreting economic data using economic theory and a variety of statistical and other techniques0.64
Preparing forecasts of income and expenditure, interest rates and exchange rates0.62
Formulating recommendations, policies and plans for the economy, corporate strategies and investment, and undertaking feasibility studies for projects0.58
Evaluating the outcome of political decisions concerning public economy and finances and advising on economic policy and possible courses of action in the light of past, present and projected economic factors and trends0.57
Applying mathematical formulae and statistical techniques and apply to test economic theories and devise solutions to economic problems0.57
Monitoring economic data to assess the effectiveness, and advise on the appropriateness, of monetary and fiscal policies0.57
Examining problems related to the economic activities of individual companies0.55
Forecasting production and consumption of specific products and services based on records of past production and consumption and general economic and industry-specific conditions0.54
Preparing scholarly papers and reports0.53
Forecasting changes in the economic environment for short-term budgeting, long-term planning and investment evaluation0.47
Conducting research on market conditions in local, regional or national areas to set sales and pricing levels for goods and services, to assess market potential and future trends and to develop business strategies0.35

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for economists. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).