What personality traits do economists have? (2024)

We surveyed 2,628 economists to learn what personality traits and interests make them unique. Here are the results.


Holland Codes

Economists are investigative and enterprising

Economists tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts. They also tend to be enterprising, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others.

If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be an economist. However, if you are realistic, this is probably not a good career for you. Unsure of where you fit in? Take the career test now.

Here’s how the Holland codes of the average economist break down:


Big Five

The top personality traits of economists are openness and conscientiousness

Economists score highly on openness, which means they are usually curious, imaginative, and value variety. They also tend to be high on the measure of conscientiousness, which means that they are methodical, reliable, and generally plan out things in advance.

Once again, let’s break down the components of the personality of an average economist:

What personality traits do economists have? (2024)

FAQs

What personality traits do you need to be an economist? ›

10 Qualities That Define A Good Economist
  • Mathematical aptitude. Numeracy is a key skill for an economist. ...
  • Knowledge of social sciences. ...
  • Good at understanding complex systems. ...
  • Curious. ...
  • Independent thinker. ...
  • Comfortable with uncertainty. ...
  • Writing skills. ...
  • Verbal communication skills.

What personality types do economists have? ›

Economists are investigative and enterprising

Economists tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts.

How do you know if you would be a good economist? ›

If you enjoy researching and analyzing economic issues and their related data using math and statistics, and if you enjoy making forecasts, designing policies and advising others through reports and presentations, then working as an economist might be an ideal career choice for you.

What type of person should study economics? ›

If you have strong logical reasoning skills, consider yourself a good problem solver or ever find yourself thinking about how the world could run more efficiently, you might consider enrolling in an economics course.

What are 4 requirements of an economist? ›

Skills
  • A good grasp of maths, economics and accounting.
  • Analytical and logical thinking skills.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills.

What do economists look for? ›

Some economists study the cost of products, healthcare, or energy, while others examine employment levels, business cycles, exchange rates, taxes, inflation, or interest rates. Economists often study historical trends and use them to make forecasts. They research and analyze data using a variety of software programs.

What are the top 4 personality types? ›

A large new study published in Nature Human Behavior, however, provides evidence for the existence of at least four personality types: average, reserved, self-centered and role model.

What are the 4 most common personality types? ›

A study published in Nature Human Behaviour reveals that there are four personality types — average, reserved, role-model and self-centered — and these findings might change the thinking about personality in general.

What are the three kinds that economists have identified? ›

The three kinds of economic resources are natural, human, and capital resources. A natural resource is collecting objects such as gold and oil from the earth. A human resource includes people who run farms and factories. A capital resource is an office building.

What are the characteristics of a strong economy? ›

Many signs can indicate a healthy economy. These include low unemployment, steady growth of inflation, increases in new home construction, optimism in the consumer confidence index, and an increasing gross domestic product (GDP).

Does economics have a lot of math? ›

There are many diagrams in economics, but there is not a large amount of math. A proviso: The amount of math in the economics curriculum varies across colleges and universities. Some economics departments do not require their students to learn much math or statistics, but others do.

How hard is a degree in economics? ›

The economics major is not an easy degree choice. It requires a great deal of critical thinking and analysis on the part of economics students. As you advance in your coursework, the subject matter covered in economics degrees become even more thought-provoking and challenging.

Does economics study common man? ›

Political Economy or Economics is a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life; it examines that part of individual and social action which is most closely connected with the attainment and with the use of the material requisites of wellbeing.

What two things do economists study? ›

International Economists study international financial markets, exchange rates, and the effects of various trade policies such as tariffs. Labor Economists study the supply and demand for labor and the determination of wages.

Do economists need good math? ›

Although economics graduate programs have varying admissions requirements, graduate training in economics is highly mathematical. Most economics PhD programs expect applicants to have had advanced calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and basic probability theory.

Do economists study how much people work? ›

Economists study all aspects of people's monetary decisions since they affect all types of markets. This means they study how much people work in order to study how the labor market works.

How well are economists paid? ›

Economist salaries typically range between $73,000 and $162,000 a year. The average hourly rate for economists is $52.45 per hour. Location, education, and experience impacts how much an economist can expect to make. Economists make the most in Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma, New York, and Washington.

What's the rarest personality type? ›

INFJ is the rarest personality type across the population, occurring in just 2% of the population. It is also the rarest personality type among men. INFJ stands for Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging. This unique combination is hard to find in most people.

What are the 5 type personalities? ›

Many contemporary personality psychologists believe that there are five basic dimensions of personality, often referred to as the "Big 5" personality traits. The Big 5 personality traits are extraversion (also often spelled extroversion), agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

What personality type is hard to read? ›

ISTP - Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, And Perceiving

People with the ISTP personality type are often described as hard to read.

What is the most respected personality type? ›

Those who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are often identified as one of the kindest types by experts. "ESFJs have extroverted feeling as a dominant cognitive function," Gonzalez-Berrios says. "This makes them rule by their hearts. They are kind, polite, friendly, and sensitive."

What are the 3 most rare personality types? ›

The most rare Personality Types are INFJ, followed by ENTJ and INTJ.

What personality types get on best? ›

Other research also shows that, based on similar interests and patterns of behaviors, these are some of the most highly compatible matches:
  • ENFJ and INFP.
  • ENTJ and INFP.
  • INFJ and ENFP.
  • INTJ and ENFP.
  • ENTP and INFJ.
  • ISFP and ENFJ.
  • ENTP and INTJ.
  • INTP and ENTJ.
Apr 15, 2022

What are the 3 questions economists have to answer? ›

Economic systems answer three basic questions: what will be produced, how will it be produced, and how will the output society produces be distributed? There are two extremes of how these questions get answered.

What are the 3 things of economics? ›

Economic Systems: Command, Market, and Mixed

The way in which a society answers the three fundamental economic questions is called an economic system.

What are the 5 concepts of economics? ›

#1 – Scarcity. #2 – Supply Demand. #3 – Incentives. #4 – Trade-off and Opportunity Cost. #5 – Economic Systems.

What are 3 characteristics that influence economic activity? ›

Top 10 Economic Factors Affecting Business
  • #1- Interest Rate. Interest rate is a major factor that affects the liquidity of cash in the economy. ...
  • #2 – Exchange Rate. ...
  • #3 -Tax Rate. ...
  • #4 – Inflation. ...
  • #5 – Labor. ...
  • #6 – Demand / Supply. ...
  • #7 – Wages. ...
  • #8 – Law and Policies.

What are characteristics of economics? ›

Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.

Is economics hard if you're bad at math? ›

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), four important qualities economists should have are analytical skills, critical-thinking skills, speaking skills and writing skills. You cultivate strong skills in all of these areas even if you are “bad” at math.

Is a BS in economics a good degree? ›

Economics offers a wide range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors, with potential for advancement and growth. With an economics degree, you can pursue careers in finance, consulting, public policy, academia, and more.

Do economists use calculus? ›

Calculus is widely used in economics and has the ability to solve many problems that algebra cannot. In economics, calculus is used to study and record complex information - commonly on graphs and curves.

Is ECON one of the hardest majors? ›

So why do people consider economics a difficult major? In this area, you will take a lot of math and statistics classes and do plenty of critical thinking and synthesizing of data – so it can definitely be hard!

What's the hardest degree? ›

What are the hardest degrees in the world? Ranked by Experts
  • Chartered Accountancy.
  • Astrophysics.
  • Quantum Mechanics.
  • Law.
  • Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
  • Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
  • Nursing.
  • Dentistry, Medicine.
Dec 16, 2022

Is economics a high paying major? ›

You can expect a very high salary with an economics degree and some experience. For example, Salary.com reported an $87,390 average salary rate for corporate economist I job roles in 2021.

Are economists respected? ›

Economics stands alone among the social sciences in having a 150 year history as an established, respected, and influential discipline.

Is economics male or female dominated? ›

The field of economics is dominated by men, in terms of both faculty and students, with disproportionately few women and members of historically underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, relative to the overall population and to other academic disciplines.

What is the crucial problem of economics? ›

Scarcity is sometimes considered the basic problem of economics. Resources are scarce because we live in a world in which humans' wants are infinite but the land, labor, and capital required to satisfy those wants are limited.

What is the best MBTI for economists? ›

INTJs are introverted intuitives who prefer roles that require them to think theoretically, making financial advisor, economist, and financial executive the best roles for this type. INTJs are creative perfectionists and enjoy doing things their ways.

Which MBTI are good at economics? ›

As a result, MBTI test ENTP's often do well as Economists. Economists provide a variety of services.

Which personality type is best with money? ›

Commanders (ENTJ)

They make money the foundation of many life decisions, including educational and career choices. They are the personality type most likely to equate money with influence. They reach beyond needs and extend their interest in money to attaining their wants and desires.

What are the richest personality types? ›

Traits with the highest earning potential

Based on the above four dimensions, extroverts, sensors, thinkers, and judgers tend to be the most financially successful. Diving into specific personality characteristics, certain traits are more closely correlated with higher income.

What is the most respected MBTI type? ›

ESFJ. Those who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are often identified as one of the kindest types by experts. "ESFJs have extroverted feeling as a dominant cognitive function," Gonzalez-Berrios says. "This makes them rule by their hearts.

Which MBTI has the richest inner world? ›

The INFP. There's often an air of mystery surrounding the INFP personality type. Their quiet exterior and inward focus can make them seem disengaged or even aloof. But what is happening inside the mind of the INFP is usually a rich inner world of fantasy, emotion, and imagination.

What is the richest MBTI type? ›

As someone who is creative, an insightful problem-solver and an idea generator, the Pragmatist category includes both the highest-earning personality type on the income spectrum, as well as some of the lowest. ENTJs are excellent with money, frank and decisive, and they enjoy sharing their knowledge with others.

What MBTI is most common in billionaires? ›

ENTJ, ISTJ and INTJ categories have the most billionaires. Interestingly, introverts seem to rule the roost here. Thinking(T) and judging(J) are the other common traits amongst the rich of the above list.

What is the top happiest MBTI? ›

ESTP. ESTPs win the title for the happiest personality type. ESTPs are full of energy and enthusiasm, which helps them to stay cheerful and optimistic no matter what may come their way.

Which MBTI is cleanest? ›

ISFJs and ISTJs and Cleanliness:

For the ISFJ and ISTJ personality types, having a sense of order and cleanliness gives them peace of mind. They notice the little things and feel satisfaction when their environment is free of dirt, dust, and clutter.

What personality type is Elon Musk? ›

As an INTJ, Elon tends to be confident, analytical, and ambitious. Elon is likely an independent thinker focused on solving the world's problems. Why sign up for Crystal? Learn more about yourself, your friends and co-workers for free.

What personality type are most millionaires? ›

Millionaires, especially self-made millionaires whose wealth wasn't inherited, have five particular personality traits, according to new research. The five personality traits that are particularly standout are: risk-taking, emotional stability, openness, extraversion and conscientiousness.

Which MBTI earns the least? ›

Researchers have found that your Myers-Briggs personality type can impact how much money you make. Of the 16 different personality types, those with the ENTJ personality type on average earn the most money. The INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) personality type on average earn the least.

What is Jeff Bezos personality type? ›

As an ISTJ, Jeff tends to be reserved, orderly, and practical. Jeff is likely self-sufficient, hardworking to meet obligations, and prefers to be alone or in small groups of close friends.

What is Bill Gates personality type? ›

Bill Gates, Assertive Logician (INTP-A) | 16Personalities. Intuitive (N) and Thinking (T) personality types, known for their rationality, impartiality, and intellectual excellence.

What is the top 3 rarest personality? ›

The top 5 rarest personality types ranked
  1. INFJ. The INFJ personality type is the undisputed top 1 rarest personality type in the general population coming in at just 2%. ...
  2. INTJ. ...
  3. ENTJ. ...
  4. ENFJ. ...
  5. ENTP.
Sep 28, 2021

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