Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)

Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) Modelling for Policy Analysis (Pretoria, South Africa)

Course Description

Economy-wide models are useful tools for investigating the effects of policies with direct and indirect feedback within an economy. These models are based on economic theories and supported by data analytics. They draw from macroeconomic and sectoral national accounts data, supply-use tables and institutional data organized in a social accounting matrix (SAM) format and are informed by empirically derived behavioural rules for consumers, producers, investors, households and governments. Economy-wide models are useful to assess “whatif” scenarios involving a variety of policies and shocks. They can shed light on the impacts of policies and shocks on employment, output, national budgets, imports and exports, and consumption patterns, among others.

This training equips participants with Input-Output and SAM modelling skills that are valuable for policy analysis. It covers topics such as descriptive analysis and interlinkages in the economy, multipliers and their interpretation, simple policy applications and short comings of simple multiplier analysis. It provides hands-on exercises on multiplier analysis and simulations.