Group Project: Economic Analysis of a Country

Task Description:

Step 1: Choose a Country

You need to select a country of interest and then obtain approval from your professor (no duplicate countries with other students, no Canada).

Step 2: Economic Snapshot

Report on all of the following quantitative information for the most recent year that data is available for. Report all figures in U.S. dollars:

• Name
• Population
• Currency
• Exchange rate
• Gross Domestic Product
• GDP per Capita
• Budget Balance (Deficit/Surplus)
• Total Debt
• Total Debt as a % of GDP
• Unemployment Rate
• Inflation Rate
• Ease of Doing Business Rank
• Total Value of Imports
• Total Value of Exports
• Trade Balance

Provide a brief qualitative description of the country and its economy (you can still use #s if you would like). Here are some examples of information you may choose to include (all optional).

• Language(s)
• Capital city and major cities
• Description of the labour force
• Key Industries and major corporations
• System of government and leader
• Geography/climate
• Major historical events
• Major trading partners
• Free trade agreements with other countries
• Membership in trade, economic, or political organizations

Step 3: Economic Analysis

Using the concepts covered in the course you need to analyze the macroeconomic data for your country and identify the following:

• Identify and explain trends in the major macroeconomic indicators (GDP growth rate, GDP per capita, unemployment, inflation)
• Identify and explain trends in the budget balance, trade balance, and interest rates
• Identify and explain trends in the labour market and/or important industries for your country
• Identify and explain what phase of the business cycle your county is in

You need to support all of your findings with data and/or graphs. You can source tables and graphs from the internet or create your own.

Step 4: Policy Recommendations

Assume that your country has similar economic goals to Canada such as:

• Economic growth
• Increased productivity and growth
• Price stability
• Full employment
• Stable currency
• Reduced public debt
• Equitable distribution of income

Considering these goals and your findings in Step 3, make economic policy recommendations for your country. Your recommendations can include:

• Fiscal policy (government spending and taxation)
• Monetary policy (money supply and interest rates)
• International trade (comparative advantages, trade agreements/protections)
• Currency strategy
• Government programs (education, immigration, what industries to invest in, etc…)

Deliverables:

• Your report needs to have a cover page with relevant information
• Your report needs to be a maximum of 5 pages in length, double spaced, 12 pt font
• You may have appendices if you choose (graphs, tables, etc…) in addition to the 5 pages
• You must provide a listing of resources you used to complete your research

LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Additional Information:

• There will be no duplicate countries and no Canada
• Countries will be assigned by Friday, April .15^th . Priority of choices will be given to those who make the request in-class
• This presentation is worth 10% of your final grade. Assignments submitted without the Statement of Academic Integrity form or the Group Member Contribution form signed by all group members, will not be accepted.
• Only one submission per group will be accepted.