This assignment involves selecting two countries, analyzing key post$-$COVID$-19$ macroeconomic indicators, and comparing and contrasting these indicators to understand the economic health of each country. The resulting report and Python code $(.$py file$)$ will be submitted via Canvas. Below is a summary of the main steps of the assignment.

Data collection

Select two countries to analyze.

Using Python, write a script to pull data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St$.$ Louis' FRED database.

Key indicators include GDP$,$ inflation, and unemployment.

Focus on the post$-$COVID$-19$ period $($i$.$e$.,2020-2024).$

Clean and prepare the data

Use Python's Pandas package to clean and prepare the data as needed.

This includes handling missing values, parsing dates, and standardizing data formats.

Analyze the data

Calculate descriptive statistics $($mean$,$ median, standard deviation, etc.$)$ for each indicator and each country.

Identify any trends or patterns in the data.

Comparative analysis

Compare economic indicators between two selected countries.

Visualize your data

Use Python's Matplotlib package to create line graphs, bar graphs, and more to visually represent trends and comparisons.

Graphs include clear labels and legends where necessary.

Design choices are made to clearly communicate the insights gained from the data.

Write a report

Write a report to summarize your findings.

Introduction section: Introduction to the selected countries and indicators.

Methodology section: Describe the data analysis process

Results section: Visualizations and discussion of results

Conclusion section: summarize the insights gained

Reports should not exceed $3$ pages and include graphs and tables.

The report $(.$pdf file$)$ and Python code $(.$py file$)$ will be submitted via Canvas.

The evaluation criteria will be based on completion, but you will also be evaluated on accuracy of your Python code and use of economic terminology, intuition, and English grammar and spelling.