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Geopolitics in focus
Though inflation dynamics are still seen as the most important topic overall, geopolitical risk saw the biggest change relative to the previous benchmark, from 2024. On a five-point scale, economics departments rated geopolitics 3.9 on average in 2026, a rise of 0.6 percentage points relative to 2024. No other topic rose by more than 0.2pp.
Economics departments use multiple coding languages
More than half of central banks use five or more coding languages and tools
Geopolitics is fastest-rising research topic for economists
Research economists are most widely judged on their output of papers
Economists devote up to half of working hours to research
Higher-paid research economists tend to spend more time on own research
Dedicated data units widely used in economics departments
Teams make use of varied microdata in their work