The purpose of this course is to equip learners with the knowledge and practical analytical skills needed to apply economic theory, quantitative methods, and policy evaluation tools to real-world economic problems and decision-making in diverse applied fields.

CLO 1: Explain the meaning, scope, and core concepts of applied economics, and relate economic theory to real-world policy and sectoral issues.

CLO 2: Apply appropriate economic, statistical, and econometric tools to analyze applied economic problems and evaluate policies, programmes, and interventions.

CLO 3: Assess the efficiency, equity, welfare, and distributional effects of economic decisions and policy actions across different sectors and contexts.

CLO 4: Formulate and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations grounded in sound economic reasoning and empirical analysis.

Foundations of Applied Economics: Understanding the meaning, scope, and purpose of applied economics; examining how economic theory is translated into practical analysis of real-world economic and policy problems; exploring the relationship between theory, evidence, and policy practice; identifying market failures and the rationale for intervention; and analyzing efficiency, equity, and welfare trade-offs in applied decision-making;
Welfare Economics and Policy Appraisal: Applying welfare concepts to public and private decision-making; measuring consumer and producer welfare; examining deadweight loss, incidence, and distributional effects; conducting cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis; applying discounting and present value concepts; and comparing alternative policies using efficiency and equity criteria;
Applied Econometrics and Causal Inference: Understanding the role of data in applied economics; distinguishing causation from correlation; identifying major sources of bias in empirical work; reviewing regression analysis for applied policy questions; introducing experimental and quasi-experimental methods such as randomized controlled trials, Difference-in-Differences, Instrumental Variables, matching, and regression discontinuity; and interpreting treatment effects and policy-relevant empirical findings;
Public Policy Design and Evaluation: Understanding the policy process from problem identification to implementation and evaluation; defining policy objectives and target groups; designing targeted and universal interventions; analyzing incentives, compliance, and behavioural responses; developing monitoring and evaluation frameworks; examining implementation challenges and institutional capacity; and formulating evidence-based policy recommendations;
Health and Education Economics Applications: Applying economics to health systems and education systems; examining health and education as forms of human capital; analyzing demand for health care and schooling; studying incentives, financing, and market failures in these sectors; evaluating public interventions such as insurance schemes, school feeding, scholarships, and related programmes; and assessing the effects of health and education investments on productivity, welfare, and development;
Labour, Human Capital, and Social Protection: Applying economics to labour-market outcomes and workforce development; analyzing labour supply and demand, wage determination, productivity, and employment; examining labour-market frictions, informality, underemployment, and unemployment; evaluating labour-market programmes and skills development initiatives; and assessing social protection policies such as pensions, income transfers, and unemployment support;
Environmental, Climate, Energy, and Natural Resource Economics:  Applying economics to environmental sustainability and resource-use problems; analyzing externalities, public goods, and natural resource management; examining environmental and energy policy instruments such as taxes, subsidies, permits, regulation, and pricing; studying climate change, adaptation, mitigation, and energy transition; and evaluating sustainability trade-offs in the use of land, water, energy, and environmental assets;
Agricultural and Food Economics Applications: Applying economic analysis to agriculture, food systems, and rural livelihoods; examining farm production, agricultural risk, and technology adoption; studying food demand, food prices, market integration, and value chains; evaluating agricultural policy instruments such as input subsidies, extension services, crop insurance, and rural credit; and assessing food security, nutrition, rural welfare, and the link between agriculture and structural transformation;
Development Economics and Structural Transformation: Applying economics to poverty, inequality, and economic transformation; analyzing the determinants of growth and development; examining the role of institutions, governance, and state capacity; studying structural transformation, industrialization, urbanization, and productivity change; identifying constraints to development; and evaluating major development interventions and anti-poverty programmes;
Industrial, Digital, and Market Regulation Applications: Applying economics to firm behaviour, market structure, and regulation; analyzing competition, pricing, and strategic interaction in applied settings; examining digital markets, platform economics, and consumer welfare; studying regulation in strategic sectors; and integrating microeconomic, econometric, and policy tools in the analysis of firm-level, sectoral, and regulatory issues.