By: Edita Rodríguez
Every July 18th, we commemorate National Economist’s Day, a date that invites us to recognize the contribution of those who study, interpret, and propose solutions for the country’s great economic and social challenges. However, more than a celebration, this anniversary should become a space for deep reflection on the role we are playing as professionals in a society marked by uncertainty, inequality, technological transformation, and the growing complexity of public decisions.
Economics has never been a neutral discipline. Behind every fiscal policy, every monetary decision, every tax reform, every national budget, or every social program, there is a vision for the country. Therefore, the economist cannot be limited to being a technician who processes data or builds models. Their responsibility is also ethical, social, and deeply human.
In the Dominican Republic, we are living in a moment where macroeconomic indicators often show stability and growth, while a significant portion of the population continues to face difficulties in covering the cost of living, accessing quality jobs, or improving their development opportunities. This apparent contradiction compels economists to explain more clearly what the figures really mean and how they translate—or fail to translate—into well-being for the people.
It is not enough to announce growth rates if these are not reflected in better wages, higher productivity, reduction of informality, and a decrease in territorial and social inequalities. True economic success cannot be measured solely by the performance of the Gross Domestic Product or inflation, but by the economy’s ability to generate shared prosperity.
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It is increasingly necessary for the voice of economists to maintain its presence in major national debates. Frequently, economic analysis has been replaced by superficial opinions, political interests, or media narratives that simplify complex problems, at a time when the country needs rigorous analysis, technical evidence, and responsible proposals.
A challenge for economic professionals is to avoid falling into excessive technical jargon in their explanations, which distances us from the public. Sometimes we speak a language that is understandable to specialists, but inaccessible to those who are, precisely, the intended recipients of economic policies. If society does not understand the economy, it will be difficult for it to participate in an informed manner in the decisions that affect its present and its future.
Another important challenge consists of strengthening the intellectual independence of the economist. The credibility of the profession depends on the ability to analyze reality with objectivity, regardless of who holds power or what institutional interests may exist. Evidence must prevail over political convenience and scientific rigor over ideological positions.
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At the same time, professional practice is facing new scenarios. Artificial intelligence, massive data analysis, automation, the digital economy, climate change, the energy transition, and new dynamics in international trade are redefining the way markets and public policies function. The 21st-century economist needs to permanently expand their skills to understand increasingly interconnected phenomena.
The university also has an inescapable responsibility. Training economists today implies much more than teaching economic theory or econometrics. It means developing critical thinking, professional ethics, communication skills, digital skills, and a commitment to sustainable development. Schools of Economics must become permanent laboratories for innovation and the generation of solutions to national problems.
Likewise, it is essential to strengthen the links between academia, the productive sector, and the State. Economic research cannot remain confined to classrooms or specialized publications. It must become a permanent input for the design of public policies and for evidence-based business decision-making.
But, perhaps, the greatest challenge is to recover the social commitment of the profession. Economics makes sense when it contributes to improving people’s lives. Behind every indicator there are families, workers, entrepreneurs, students, and communities that experience the effects of economic decisions daily. Humanizing the economy does not mean renouncing scientific rigor; it means remembering that the ultimate purpose of development is to expand people’s opportunities and dignity.
On the occasion of the celebration of Economist’s Day, it is time to renew that commitment. It is time to assume more active leadership in public debate, communicate with greater clarity, research with greater depth, and participate with greater responsibility in the construction of policies that promote inclusive, sustainable, and equitable growth.
The country needs economists who not only explain reality, but also contribute to transforming it; professionals who are capable of combining technical knowledge with social sensitivity, intellectual independence with a vocation for service, and critical thinking with viable proposals.
Because, in the end, an economist’s greatest contribution does not consist solely of interpreting numbers. It consists of helping to build a society where those numbers represent better opportunities, greater well-being, and a fairer future for all.
