Occupation intelligence

economic adviser

Role lens

Are you fascinated by global markets and enjoy analyzing complex data to shape strategic decisions? As an economic adviser, you’ll use your analytical skills to forecast economic trends and provide expert guidance to businesses and organizations.

Summary

Economic advisers play a crucial role in helping companies and organizations navigate the ever-changing economic landscape. Your days will involve researching economic developments, analyzing data to identify patterns and predict future trends, and translating those insights into actionable advice. You'll work closely with stakeholders to understand their objectives and develop strategies to maximize economic performance.

Key responsibilities
  • • Researching and analyzing economic data, including financial markets, trade policies, and fiscal regulations.
  • • Developing economic forecasts and models to predict future trends and potential risks.
  • • Advising companies and organizations on financial strategies, investment decisions, and risk management.
21%
Resilience Score · 2026 (Higher is better)
Bachelor's or equivalent level 73% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Labour market

Where this occupation is in demand

Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.

Shortage reportedSurplus reportedReported in another yearNot covered by this source

Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.

Figures cover Legal, social and cultural professionals — 186 jobs including this one.

2 of 12 in shortage202517 of 30 growing2.7Mopenings to 2035

In shortage: Italy, Netherlands.

Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.

Select a place on the map to see its figures.

About this source

Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.

Explore More

Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.

Guiding others? See NexPath for schools and practices.
Quick fit check

Could economic adviser fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

Progress0/3

Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Achievement?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Achievement/Effort?

NexFuture™

Future Outlook for economic adviser

The outlook for economic adviser reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could economic adviser change as AI adoption grows?

Several task areas may shift toward AI-assisted workflows, so reskilling becomes more important.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 9 years (around 2035) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
~15%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP~75%
Human advantage
MOAT~20%

Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.

2026
2031
2040
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 21% Human-owned
What still depends on people
  • advise on economic development
  • develop organisational policies
  • supervise advocacy work
The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on company policies and organisational policies. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 22% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot
  • apply statistical analysis techniques
  • analyse economic trends
  • comprehend financial business terminology
Automate 73% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation
  • develop financial statistics reports
  • maintain financial records
Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs & AI Vectors

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
AI / Machine Learning 22%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Cognitive Software 15%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Generative AI 7%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v3.0 Sources: O*NET® 30.3, ESCO v1.2.1 Updated: Aug 2026

NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.

Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Financial Services

Day in the life

A typical day as a economic adviser

09
09:00 · Morning
assess risk factors
Determine the influence of economical, political and cultural risk factors and additional issues.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
advise on economic development
Advise organisations and institutions on the factors and steps they could take which would promote and ensure economic stability and growth.
12
12:00 · Midday
analyse economic trends
Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
analyse market financial trends
Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
apply statistical analysis techniques
Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
carry out statistical forecasts
Undertake a systematic statistical examination of data representing past observed behaviour of the system to be forecast, including observations of useful predictors outside the system.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Aptech Systems GAUSSC++Camfit Data Limited MicrofitCorel QuattroProCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteEconometric Software LIMDEPESRI ArcViewEstima Regression Analysis of Time Series RATSEstimates Delivery System EDSFormula translation/translator FORTRANGlobal Insight AREMOSIBM Lotus 1-2-3IBM SPSS StatisticsInsightful S-PLUSLaTeXMacKichan Software Scientific NotebookMaplesoft MapleMathsoft MathcadMediaWikiMicrosoft Access
Knowledge areas
  • company policies

    The set of rules that govern the activity of a company.

  • organisational policies

    The policies to achieve set of goals and targets regarding the development and maintenance of an organisation.

  • environmental economics

    The subfield of economics that studies the efficient allocation of environmental resources to the aim of minimizing the negative impacts on the natural environment.

Cross-sector skills
  • business analysis
  • economics
  • financial forecasting
Essential skills
preparing financial documents, records, reports, or budgets
  • develop financial statistics reports

    Create financial and statistical reports based on collected data which are to be presented to managing bodies of an organisation.

  • maintain financial records

    Keep track of and finalise all formal documents representing the financial transactions of a business or project.

analysing financial and economic data
  • analyse economic trends

    Analyse developments in national or international trade, business relations, banking, and developments in public finance and how these factors interact with one another in a given economic context.

  • comprehend financial business terminology

    Grasp the meaning of basic financial concepts and terms used in businesses and financial institutions or organisations.

monitoring financial and economic resources and activity
  • analyse market financial trends

    Monitor and forecast the tendencies of a financial market to move in a particular direction over time.

developing operational policies and procedures
  • develop organisational policies

    Develop and supervise the implementation of policies aimed at documenting and detailing the procedures for the operations of the organisation in the lights of its strategic planning.

analysing and evaluating information and data
  • apply statistical analysis techniques

    Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.

advising and consulting
  • advise on economic development

    Advise organisations and institutions on the factors and steps they could take which would promote and ensure economic stability and growth.

monitoring operational activities
  • monitor company policy

    Monitor the company's policy and propose improvements to the company.

analysing scientific and medical data
  • carry out statistical forecasts

    Undertake a systematic statistical examination of data representing past observed behaviour of the system to be forecast, including observations of useful predictors outside the system.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Analytical Thinking Achievement/Effort Attention to Detail Independence Persistence Integrity Innovation Initiative Dependability Cooperation Self-Control Adaptability/Flexibility Stress Tolerance Leadership Concern for Others Social Orientation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What kind of organizations typically hire economic advisers?
Economic advisers are sought after by a wide range of organizations, including financial institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and large corporations across various industries. Their expertise is valuable wherever strategic economic decisions are made.
Does this role require advanced mathematical skills?
While a strong understanding of mathematics and statistics is beneficial, the role also requires excellent analytical and communication skills. You'll need to be able to interpret complex data and explain your findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
What are the common career paths for economic advisers?
With experience, economic advisers can progress into leadership roles such as chief economist, financial strategist, or management consultant. Some may also choose to specialize in a particular area of economics, such as international trade or financial regulation.
Economic Adviser — is there a shortage in Europe?
No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 10 of the 12 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece and 6 more. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
Economic Adviser — what does it pay in the United States?
$115,440 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $70,750 to $167,590. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.