## From Data to Decisions: Tools for Macro-Structural Analysis

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [From Data to Decisions: Tools for Macro-Structural Analysis](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/pt/2026/msapt26-08)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/pt/2026/msapt26-08/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/pt/2026/msapt26-08/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/pt/2026/msapt26-08/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Session: PT 26.08
- Location: Asuncion, Paraguay
- Dates: September 21-25, 2026 (1 week)
- Delivery method: In-person Training
- Primary language: English
- Interpretation language: Spanish

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### Invitation and Logistics
- Session No.: PT 26.08
- Location: Asuncion, Paraguay
- Date: September 21-25, 2026 (1 week)
- Delivery Method: In-person Training
- Primary Language: English
- Interpretation Language: Spanish

### Target Audience and Qualifications
- Target Audience:
  - Technical-level staff in ministries of finance, national statistics agencies, central banks, tax administrations, or other relevant line ministries who use data and analytical tools to inform macroeconomic and fiscal policy.
- Qualifications:
  - Advanced degree in economics or finance, or equivalent work experience expected.
  - Comfort working with Excel/Stata and engaging in hands-on exercises, small-group discussions, and short presentations.
  - Participants are encouraged to bring country-specific policy questions or data challenges for exploration during the workshop.

### Course Description — Scope and Analytical Focus
- Purpose:
  - Introduce practical, hands-on tools for macro-structural analysis.
- Emphases:
  - i) identify policy-relevant constraints to inclusive growth,
  - ii) work with macro- and micro-level data,
  - iii) use applied toolkits to quantify potential macroeconomic implications and policy tradeoffs.
- Thematic coverage:
  - Regional trends/demographic shifts
  - Labor market indicators
  - Household and survey-based data analysis
  - Tax-benefit analysis using the IMF's TaxFit tool
- Integration:
  - Introduction to macroeconomic modeling with distributional considerations, demonstrating incorporation of micro-level data and labor-market heterogeneity into macro frameworks to assess effects on labor supply, productivity, fiscal outcomes, growth, and distributional impacts.

### Practical Tools, Data, and Exercises
- Hands-on components:
  - Exercises using publicly available data sources
  - Practical Excel-based tools
  - Country examples and dashboards to benchmark constraints and estimate economic costs
  - Application of TaxFit to examine distributional and fiscal implications of tax-benefit reforms
- Data skills:
  - Accessing and interpreting micro-level data
  - Using dashboards to benchmark constraints and estimate economic costs

### Learning Outcomes and Course Objectives
- By the end of the five-day in-person workshop, participants will be able to:
  - Identify relevant macro- and micro-level data sources and use them to diagnose macro-structural constraints and policy priorities.
  - Apply practical tools including TaxFit, financial inclusion diagnostics, dashboards, and introductory modeling approaches to assess policy options and macroeconomic implications.
  - Translate data-driven analysis into concise policy messages and present evidence-based recommendations to senior officials.

---


## References

- [In-person Training](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/delivery-methods)
- [Fiscal Policy Analysis (FPA)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/at/2026/fpaat26-20)
- [Vulnerability Diagnostics (VDS)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/jv/2026/vdsjv26-38)
- [Macro-relevant Environment and Climate Change Statistics (CCS)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/hq/2027/ccshq27-01)
- [Investor Relations and Sovereign Bond Issuance (LCBM)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/sa/2026/lcbmsa26-44)
- [Fintech Market Development and Policy Implications (FINTECH)](https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/st/2026/fintechst26-23)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/capacity-development/training/icdtc/schedule/pt/2026/msapt26-08_