Income
What it is and why it is important
Income research investigates the causes, patterns and changes in the distribution of income across different populations and its impact on economic and social outcomes.
Our research provides insights into how to create opportunities for upward economic mobility, reducing poverty and enhancing social stability.
Key research topics in this field include:
- Income inequality and its drivers.
- The relationship between income levels and access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
- The effects of public policies, such as minimum wage laws and tax policies, on income distribution and poverty.
Related Research Papers
Complexity Theory and Economic Inequality
Working Paper
The Labor Market Returns to Delaying Pregnancy
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The Inequality Podcast
We bring research on inequality to life through dynamic conversations with experts in the field.
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Episode #48: Immigration, Assimilation, and Intergenerational Mobility, Featuring Ran Abramitzky and Leah Boustan
Featured Episode In Income
February 9, 2026
GuestsRan Abramitzky, Leah Boustan
Are today's immigrants different from those who arrived a century ago? Stanford's Ran Abramitzky and Yale's Leah Boustan challenge immigration myths, discussing upward mobility, cultural assimilation, naming patterns, and refugee success with host Steven Durlauf.