Economics staff strength increases over two-year period
Departmental size as share of central banks’ workforce widens to 7.7%, on average
Economics departments of central banks tended to expand in staff strength over the past two years, the Economics Benchmarks 2026 find.
Economics staff strength in the sample of 29 central banks is bounded between four and 1,833 full time equivalent (FTE) employees with a median of 48 in the sample. The average is 123 FTE staff, or 7.7% of respondents’ average overall workforce (1,589 officials).
By contrast, the size in a slightly varied dataset of economics teams analysed in the 2024 benchmark (
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@centralbanking.com or view our subscription options here: www.centralbanking.com/subscriptions
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@centralbanking.com to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@centralbanking.com
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@centralbanking.com
More on Economics
Most key projection models capture policy rates
But respondents rarely disclose policy rate forecasts alongside scenarios
Third of key models now employ endogenous financial sector
Multiple channels of monetary transmission rooted in majority models
Central banks complement traditional models with AI
Time series and semi-structural models remain economists’ choices for forecasting
Working paper production linked to number of PhD economists
Central banks averaged output of roughly 10 working papers last year
Third of economics departments say staffing ‘barely sufficient’
Forecasting, policy analysis and research are economists’ top duties
Economists’ average annual salary rises
Incomes have some relation with GDP per capita and central bank size
Dark corners: the renewed push for risk-based monetary policy
Central banks are still struggling to perfect models, scenario analysis and risk communication
Working group minutes: refining forecast models
Central bank economists discuss challenges of tackling errors and integrating new model features