Wealth

What it is and why it is important

Wealth research investigates the accumulation, distribution, and impact of wealth within and across societies.

Our research helps in developing policies that address economic disparities and promote fairer wealth distribution, thereby enhancing opportunities for upward social mobility across generations.

Key research topics in this field include:

  • Patterns and trends in wealth inequality and its drivers.
  • The effects of wealth disparities on social mobility and economic opportunities.
  • The role of inheritance, savings, and investments in wealth accumulation and intergenerational transfers.

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Related Research Papers

Of Cities and Slums

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Analytic Approaches to Measuring the Black-White Wealth Gap

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

Featured Episode In Wealth

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.