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

Income Inequality in Chinese Provinces: The Role of Human Capital

Working Paper

How Do Macroaggregates and Income Distribution Interact Dynamically? A Novel Structural Mixed Autoregression with Aggregate and Functional Variables

Working Paper

Episode #32: Fabian Pfeffer on Wealth Inequality Across Countries

Featured Episode In Income

June 30, 2025
Whatever a country's level of income inequality, its level of wealth inequality is even worse—and the two aren't always linked. Fabian Pfeffer joins Steven Durlauf to uncover what drives the wealth gap and how it shapes opportunity across generations.