The Spanish Economically Active Population Survey (EPA) as a learning instrument in subjects of Introduction to Macroeconomics

The Spanish Economically Active Population Survey, carried out by the Spanish Statistical Office since 1964, is one of the main tools for analyzing the labor market in Spain. However, the complexity that characterizes the design and the implementation process can make it difficult to study the labor market among the students. Especially, among those who start to study Macroeconomics. This paper proposes an alternative methodology, easier and more pedagogical, with the purpose of examining the evolution of the different population categories and deepening the information provided by the most basic indicators. Through three independent, but complementary activities, the students are actively involved in the development of an exercise that draws the most remarkable advantages of this essential instrument.