Majandusteadlased

Majandusteadlased, or economists, are scholars who study how societies allocate scarce resources and how individuals, firms, and governments make choices. They analyse the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, as well as the factors that influence prices, employment, inflation, growth, and welfare. Their work covers both theory and real-world data, and includes topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, public economics, development economics, labor economics, monetary economics, and environmental economics.

Majandusteadlased employ a range of methods, from mathematical modelling and theoretical analysis to empirical research and data analysis using statistics and econometric techniques. They may conduct experiments or interpret large datasets to test hypotheses about economic behaviour and policy outcomes. The aim is to produce insights that help explain how economies function and to inform decision-making by businesses, governments, and international institutions.

Education and career paths typically involve an advanced degree in economics, with many pursuing PhD training for research roles. Majandusteadlased work in universities and research institutes, as well as in government agencies, central banks, international organizations, and the private sector. They often contribute to policy analysis, economic forecasting, and strategic planning.

In Estonia, majandusteadlased are active in universities such as the University of Tartu and TalTech, as well as in institutions like the Bank of Estonia and Statistics Estonia. They contribute to academic research, policy discussion, and economic forecasting. A notable figure in the broader Estonian economist tradition is Ragnar Nurkse, an Estonian-born economist influential in the development economics field.