National Institute of Economic and Social Research

Economic Research and Forecasting Servicesniesr.ac.uk

NIESR is an independent UK economic research institute founded in 1938 that produces macroeconomic forecasts and policy analysis on GDP, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal policy for UK government, central banks, and media.

Company typePrivate
Founded1938
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What National Institute of Economic and Social Research does

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) is an independent, non-profit economic research institute and think tank headquartered in London, United Kingdom, founded in 1938. It conducts macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis on the UK economy, producing projections on GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, and structural economic issues including migration and energy shocks. Its core technology comprises macroeconomic modeling, statistical analysis, and scenario planning methodologies that generate independent, non-partisan forecasts used by policymakers, financial institutions, and media.

NIESR's research outputs are distributed through its website (niesr.ac.uk), direct engagement with UK government departments including HM Treasury and the Bank of England, and through citations in major financial media including the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Bloomberg. Its forecasts are explicitly referenced as inputs into UK gilt market pricing and monetary policy decisions. The institute has also produced cross-border research, partnering with Ireland's Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to model the impact of US tariffs on Northern Ireland's economy through 2030.

The institute operates as a non-profit with a recurring revenue model based on research publication subscriptions and forecasting services. Its headcount is in the 11-50 range, with leadership including President Charles McIntyre. NIESR does not offer a software platform, SaaS product, or commercial technology suite; its outputs are economic research reports, forecasts, and policy recommendations distributed through traditional publishing and institutional channels.

National Institute of Economic and Social Research firmographics

Firmographics

Name: National Institute of Economic and Social Research
Legal name: National Institute of Economic and Social Research
Website: https://niesr.ac.uk
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1938
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: NIESR is an independent UK economic research institute founded in 1938 that produces macroeconomic forecasts and policy analysis on GDP, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal policy for UK government, central banks, and media.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

National Institute of Economic and Social Research industry classification

Industry

Product category: Economic Research and Forecasting Services
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYBPAHALAD
Economic & Macroeconomic Research
Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Research, Analytics & Expert Services
SECONDARYFSACAGAC
Macro & Rates Research
Financial & Insurance/Capital Markets & Securities/Securities Research & Analytics

Keywords

Economic research
Macroeconomic forecasting
Policy analysis
Fiscal research
Economic publications

Where National Institute of Economic and Social Research is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: London
HQ country: United Kingdom
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

National Institute of Economic and Social Research business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

Research Publications and Forecasting Services: NIESR generates revenue through publishing economic research reports, forecasts, and analysis on UK macroeconomic indicators including inflation, unemployment, GDP growth, and fiscal policy impacts. The institute provides economic intelligence to policymakers, financial institutions, and media outlets.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

National Institute of Economic and Social Research product offering

Product offering

Core offering

NIESR produces independent macroeconomic forecasts and economic research reports on the UK economy covering GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy, and scenario analysis of shocks. Its outputs are sold or licensed to government policymakers, central banks, financial institutions, and media organizations, and are also published openly on its website.

Product overview

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) is a UK-based economic think tank that provides economic forecasting, research publications, and policy analysis. As a research organization rather than a product company, NIESR does not offer a software platform, SaaS product, or technology product suite. Its outputs consist of economic research reports, forecasts, and policy recommendations distributed through traditional publishing and media channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

UK Macroeconomic Forecasts Regular published forecasts of UK GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, and fiscal indicators produced by NIESR's in-house economists, used by government, central banks, media, and financial institutions.
Inflation Forecast Reports Detailed inflation projections (e.g., expected peak of 3.8% in February 2027, returning to 2% target by 2028–2029) informing Bank of England monetary policy and financial market expectations.
Economic Scenario Analysis Reports Scenario-based research on economic shocks such as energy price crises (£35bn worst-case impact on UK GDP under oil at $140/barrel) and trade disruptions, used for policy and investment risk planning.
Migration Impact Study Research quantifying the long-term economic impact of net migration scenarios on UK GDP (e.g., 3.6% lower output by 2040 under zero net migration) and on public borrowing.
Research Reports and Publications Detailed published research on fiscal policy, labor market dynamics, and macroeconomic topics for policymakers, academics, and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

UK GDP growth forecast of 0.9% for 2025 and 1% for 2027 (widely cited by media and policymakers)
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use National Institute of Economic and Social Research

Customer profile

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

National Institute of Economic and Social Research technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

National Institute of Economic and Social Research partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIESR collaborated with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to publish joint research papers analyzing the impact of US tariffs on Northern Ireland's economic growth, trade volumes, employment, and consumption between 2025 and 2030. The partnership examined multiple tariff scenarios and concluded that while Northern Ireland's dual-market access under the Windsor Framework may provide some resilience, these benefits would not outweigh broader costs of increased trade barriers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

National Institute of Economic and Social Research competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR): UK progressive think tank producing research on economic, social, and environmental policy. Comparable UK-based independent research and policy analysis institution with similar headcount.
Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR): European-based network of academic economists producing policy-relevant economic research. Comparable as a non-profit think tank providing independent economic analysis with broad policymaker reach.
Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS): UK-based independent economic research institute focused on fiscal policy, taxation, and public spending analysis. Most direct peer to NIESR given shared mandate of informing UK government policymaking through independent research.
Resolution Foundation: UK think tank producing research on living standards, inequality, and labor market trends. Comparable as a UK-focused economic and social policy research shop with strong media footprint and policymaker engagement.
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI): Ireland's leading social and economic research institute. Direct peer — NIESR has an active joint research partnership with ESRI on UK/Ireland trade and tariff impact analysis.

Broad incumbents

RAND Corporation: Global non-profit research institute producing policy analysis across economics, security, and social science. Comparable as an established think-tank operating at the intersection of research and policymaker audiences, though far larger.
Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR): UK government's official fiscal and economic forecaster with statutory authority. Competes with NIESR's independent UK GDP and fiscal forecasts and is a key counterpart in shaping government expectations.
National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER): US-based non-profit economic research organization producing working papers, recessions dating, and macro analysis. Comparable as the US counterpart institution focused on independent macroeconomic research.

Others

OECD Economics Department: International organization producing cross-country economic surveys, forecasts, and policy analysis. Adjacent to NIESR in producing authoritative economic forecasts and policy benchmarks used by governments.

Regional players

Ifo Institute (Ifo Institut): Germany-based economic research institute producing the Ifo Business Climate Index and policy research. Comparable as a national-level macroeconomic and policy research think tank serving government and media.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

National Institute of Economic and Social Research financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

National Institute of Economic and Social Research leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

National Institute of Economic and Social Research funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

National Institute of Economic and Social Research M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Institute of Economic and Social Research

What does National Institute of Economic and Social Research do?

Is National Institute of Economic and Social Research a public or private company?

National Institute of Economic and Social Research is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was National Institute of Economic and Social Research founded?

National Institute of Economic and Social Research was founded in 1938. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is National Institute of Economic and Social Research based?

National Institute of Economic and Social Research is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does National Institute of Economic and Social Research make money?

One revenue line is on record: research Publications and Forecasting Services.

Who are National Institute of Economic and Social Research's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), Resolution Foundation and Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Broad incumbents are RAND Corporation, Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). OECD Economics Department is listed as an others. Ifo Institute (Ifo Institut) is listed as a regional player.

Does National Institute of Economic and Social Research have an API?

No public API is recorded for National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

What industry is National Institute of Economic and Social Research in?

National Institute of Economic and Social Research's product category is Economic Research and Forecasting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHALAD, Economic & Macroeconomic Research, with a secondary code of FSACAGAC, Macro & Rates Research.