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 Events

Related Research Papers

Complexity Theory and Economic Inequality

Working Paper

Income Inequality in Chinese Provinces: The Role of Human Capital

Working Paper

Episode #40: Damon Jones on Household Finance and Racial Inequality

Featured Episode In Income

October 20, 2025
What can household finance teach us about inequality? Understanding it means grappling with myriad variables. Damon Jones joins co-host Steven Durlauf to unpack income shocks, Black economists’ insights, universal basic income, and more.