## Vulnerability Diagnostics (VDS)

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Vulnerability Diagnostics (VDS)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/courses/vds)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/courses/vds/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/courses/vds/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/courses/vds/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: October 23, 2020

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## Upcoming offerings

| Start date | End date | Location | Delivery Method | Session No. | Primary & (Interpretation) language | Apply |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| November 30, 2026 | December 11, 2026 | Vienna, Austria | [In-person Training](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/delivery-methods) | [JV 26.38](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/jv/2026/vdsjv26-38) | English | Deadline passed |

### Overview
- The course is presented by the Institute for Capacity Development (ICD), IMF.
- It complements the Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDS) course by enhancing participants’ ability to assess fiscal, financial, and external vulnerabilities in an integrated fashion.
- Emphasis on using several diagnostic tools to capture tail risks.
- Topic: Structural Policies.

### Target Audience
- Officials of all levels in central banks, ministries of finance, and other governmental agencies with macro-fiscal units (e.g., cabinet office, parliament).
- Officials who monitor and assess country-wide and regional multisectoral vulnerabilities and risks.

### Qualifications
- Participants are expected to have an advanced degree in economics or equivalent experience.
- Basic background in econometrics is required.
- Familiarity with the use of software for econometric applications is required.

### Course Objectives
- Assess risks using fiscal, financial, external, and real sectors’ vulnerability indicators.
- Describe how vulnerabilities can morph into distress, leading to crises as a result of adverse shocks or a flawed policy mix.
- Use diagnostic tools (including tools currently employed in IMF surveillance), to track multi-sectoral vulnerabilities and predict indicators of tail risks.
- Adapt diagnostic tools, (organized as templates of country vulnerability reports), to their country data.

### Syllabus and Instructional Approach
- Advanced course presented by the IMF Institute for Capacity Development (ICD).
- Complements the Macroeconomic Diagnostics (MDS) course by enhancing ability to assess fiscal, financial, external, and real vulnerabilities in an integrated fashion.
- Uses lectures, analytical tools, hands-on workshops, and case studies to measure tail (as opposed to central) risks.
- Course Structure and Standard Syllabus provided as part of the offering.

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## Content in this bundle

- **Course Structure and Standard Syllabus**
  - [Course Structure and Standard Syllabus (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/icd/vds.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Course Structure and Standard Syllabus (PDF)](/-/media/files/icd/vds.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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## References

- [In-person Training](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/delivery-methods)
- [JV 26.38](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/jv/2026/vdsjv26-38)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/courses/vds_