Dedicated data units widely used in economics departments
Teams make use of varied microdata in their work
Fifty-eight per cent of central banks surveyed in the Economics Benchmarks 2026 have a unit dedicated to helping economists with data challenges, such as big data or alternative data. These units are more common in advanced economy (AE) central banks and those with large economics departments. They may be conducive to producing a wider range of forecasts.
Both AE and emerging market and developing economy (EMDE) central banks use a range of alternative data or microdata sources. Administrative
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