Research on how people, markets, and policies shape the economy. Covers labor and gig work, consumer behavior, GDP and regional growth, gambling risk, and financial decision-making.
Research finds that overlapping weather extremes increase global economic losses by an average of 20% due to supply shortages and price increases. Richer economies are hit harder, with China experiencing above-average losses of over 27%.
For the second consecutive month, unemployment declined for people with and without disabilities, according to nTIDE September 2021 COVID Update. However, levels remain higher than pre-pandemic levels for both groups, with people with disabilities looking for work at rates higher than before the pandemic.
A new model suggests that integrating massive offshore wind generation, power storage, electric vehicles, green hydrogen production, and expanded transmission can reduce costs of renewable power integration into the grid. This strategy could make achieving China's carbon neutrality by 2050 feasible without significantly increasing costs.
The global illegal wildlife trade has a substantial impact on biodiversity loss, human health, and ecosystems. The trade results in estimated costs of $162.7 billion annually and contributes to the extinction of native species.
A new approach to measuring financial and digital literacy is proposed by a team of researchers led by Angela Lyons. The study finds that while promoting literacy is important, it may not be enough to ensure resilience, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and those living in poverty.
A study found that climate change increased the probability of heavy rainfall by 70% in Brazil's Minas Gerais state, leading to severe flooding, deaths, and massive damage. The extreme event caused over 90,000 people to be temporarily homeless and resulted in significant economic losses.
Research at RMIT University uses Getty's top lists of editorial pictures to analyze daily investor sentiment, predicting stock market returns based on global mood. The algorithm produces a daily score from 10 popular photos, providing a quick snapshot of investment mood across developed and emerging economies.
UK military veterans are nearly 11 times more likely to be problem gamblers than non-veterans, leading to higher health and social care costs. The study found that veterans incurred substantially higher healthcare costs, including hospital stays, visits to GPs, and contact with social workers.
Researchers from UPV/EHU and Biocruces pathologists use game theory to study tumor cell interactions, finding that higher cell diversity may be beneficial for patients. This approach reveals the importance of collective stability in tumor cells' pursuit of better environments.
Researchers from Harvard and Tsinghua University found that solar energy could provide 43.2% of China's electricity demands in 2060 at less than two-and-a-half U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. The study highlights a crucial energy transition point for China and other countries, where combined solar power and storage systems become a cheap...
A new report highlights the complex and confusing nature of Universal Credit's monthly payment calculation, which can result in claimants not receiving the full value of the £20 weekly uplift. The research also reveals poor communication from the government to claimants about the increase and its temporary nature.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that agencies can extract more rent from a winning bidder when negotiating contract terms, reducing the benefits of drawing additional bidders. The study suggests allowing agencies some discretion to use their knowledge of the supply side can reduce procurement costs.
A new study aggregates evidence from experiments on performance incentives globally, finding that men and women respond similarly to rewards for achieving performance objectives. The study suggests that performance pay boosts productivity for both genders across various contexts and program designs.
A new study from the University of Illinois evaluates fintech systems in 16 emerging markets, finding that digital technologies improve access to financial services. However, vulnerable populations face barriers to usage due to digital literacy, cost, and limited consumer protections.
A Stanford University study found higher levels of air pollutants within 2.5 miles of oil and gas wells, likely worsening negative health outcomes for nearby residents. The research reveals that wells emit toxic particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ozone, posing a risk to residents' health.
People with disabilities have surpassed pre-pandemic job numbers, with labor force participation rates increasing by 2.2% and employment-to-population ratios rising by 4.4%. This is a positive trend, with the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increasing from 31.5% to 32.9% in September 2021.
Researchers from the University of Innsbruck found that Covid-19 pandemic did not completely displace other social and political concerns. Participants in a donation experiment donated more to causes when Covid-19 incidence was high, indicating a correlation between pandemic presence and willingness to donate.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated plastic pollution, with global waste generation increasing by twice the amount in 2020 compared to 2019. To address this issue, researchers advocate for a transition to novel sustainable practices and technologies, including biodegradable plastics and efficient recycling processes.
An international study by Lund University found that offering a small reward of $24 increased COVID-19 vaccination rates among Swedes by 4 percentage points. The vaccination rate rose to 76 percent in the group offered payment, compared to 72 percent in those not receiving incentives.
A new study published in Economic Inquiry finds that economic conditions affect climate change beliefs only among those in the labor force, while retired individuals and students remain unaffected. The analysis resolves conflicting results on the determinants of popular support for climate change initiatives.
New research from University of Georgia suggests that the no-makeup movement isn't liberating women from cosmetics. Instead, cosmetic sales have increased alongside the rise of the no-makeup trend. The study found that people perceive 'natural' looks with makeup as more attractive than those without.
West Virginia University researchers aim to create better connections with underserved populations to the blue economy, which defines sustainable use of ocean resources. They will analyze data and explore ways to package it in a way that encourages these traditionally underserved groups to utilize the blue economy.
A new study by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that historic redlining policies continue to impact maternal health, with higher rates of pre-terms birth and maternal complications in Black women. The study used digitized HOLC maps to examine the relationship between housing policies and health outcomes.
A study by University of Georgia researchers found that BlackRock's 'Dear CEO' letters have a significant effect on portfolio firms, influencing their language in financial disclosures. The research suggests that institutional investors are impacting corporate decisions through broad-based public engagement.
A Seattle ordinance requiring more notice in scheduling for hourly workers resulted in improved worker well-being, sleep quality, and economic security. Researchers found that predictable shifts led to measurable changes in workers' schedules and positive effects on happiness, sleep quality, and material hardship.
A new study co-led by UCL researchers found that people with higher pre-pandemic levels of depression or anxiety were more severely affected by job and healthcare disruptions during the pandemic. Those with severe symptoms experienced a much greater likelihood of disruptions to jobs, income, and healthcare.
A study by HSE researchers found that women believe corruption presents an obstacle to economic development, while men see it as a problem for customers and suppliers. The survey of over 1,200 public procurement experts revealed significant gender differences in perceptions of corruption.
Researchers found that economic stability, relationship status, and educational status can lead to shifts in pregnancy intentions, with 22% of participants changing their mind within a year. The study aims to provide insight for healthcare providers to check in frequently about patients' desires.
A team of researchers from Lund University critiques the circular economy, highlighting inconsistencies and hidden assumptions in its supposed benefits. They propose a more modest approach to circularity, focusing on concrete problems rather than presenting it as a panacea.
Researchers found that a low opening offer can be effective if it's within a 'fair game' window, avoiding negative emotions, but not so low that it backfires. A balance must be struck to achieve a better outcome in negotiations.
A study found that individuals in occupations with high routine intensity are at risk of becoming unemployed, experiencing higher disability rates, and facing increased mortality. The research highlights the need for governments to assess opportunities for retraining and provide economic support to affected workers.
A University of Illinois study found that parental income has a lasting impact on children's health, with lower socioeconomic status linked to increased risk of obesity and related conditions. Permanent income is associated with parents' general socioeconomic conditions, while transitory peaks during adolescence can promote better health.
Researchers at Incheon National University have developed a compact and robust optical sensor that can convert light to digital signals, suitable for flexible electronics. The new design architecture enables superior chip area efficiency and large-area scalability.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that communities living within Amazonian Sustainable-Use Protected Areas enjoy better access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and electricity. These areas also lead to improved livelihoods, with household wealth and life satisfaction increasing significantly.
A new study from Aston University and New York University found that industrial firms in Beijing did not receive disproportionate economic benefits from hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics. The research suggests that SMEs have limited to no positive impact on the local economy.
A recent study by South Ural State University analyzed the relationship between informal employment and labor productivity in Russia. The researchers found that regions with high shares of informal employment experience volatile labor markets, which can negatively impact labor productivity and gross regional product.
A new study reviews sustainability standards for crop and livestock production, finding moderate positive effects on the environment through reduced agrichemical use. However, economic benefits vary by region and standard, and assessments are complicated. The study also raises concerns about labor practices and inequalities in the rura...
A new study analyzes how micro (income) and macro (business cycle) conditions influence grocery shopping behavior, finding that households adjust their spending without changing budget constraints. Micro conditions primarily affect basket value, while macro conditions impact both basket value and allocation to store formats.
Despite increased unemployment, Canada's suicide rates dropped between March 2020 and February 2021, according to a study. The Canadian government's economic support measures, including financial assistance and reduced mortgage payments, are believed to have contributed to this decrease in suicide rates.
The August nTIDE COVID Update reports a decline in unemployment for people with disabilities, attributed to increased employment and labor participation rates. However, the overall job market remains unstable, with chronically high unemployment compared to pre-pandemic levels.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
Research from Duke University's Samuel DuBois Cook Center for Social Equity found that Black households lost more wealth than white families during the decade-long economic recovery following the Great Recession. The study also showed that Black working-class families remained in the worst overall economic position, entering the COVID-...
A new study proposes prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for essential workers, the unemployed, and those at high unemployment risk to facilitate return to work and reduce future job losses. The study found that lockdowns reduced excess mortality but also increased unemployment risk.
Researchers analyzed two years of health data to identify trends and patterns in overdose deaths during the pandemic. Men, jobless individuals, and those with mental health diagnoses experienced the largest increases in overdose death rates, with synthetic opioids and personal residence being significant factors.
The Sustainable Agriculture Matrix provides a comprehensive assessment of agricultural sustainability at a national level, considering environmental, economic, and social impacts. The framework helps governments and organizations evaluate progress, identify priorities for improvement, and inform policies towards sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that aging workforces, characterized by a higher ratio of workers 56 and older to those ages 21-55, are associated with increased robot deployment in 60 countries. This study suggests that automation adoption is partly driven by labor shortages, particularly middle-aged labor needed for blue-collar work.
Research by the University of Kent and University of Reading reveals that a healthy lifestyle can increase happiness. The study found that consuming more fruit and vegetables and exercising can improve life satisfaction, with delayed gratification playing a key role.
Researchers argue that improving policy analysis methods can lead to better decisions, particularly for transformative policies like climate change. A new framework focuses on evaluating risks, opportunities, and resilience, rather than just costs and benefits.
A new study proposes a practical way of measuring how different nations should reduce carbon emissions to maximize worldwide wellbeing. The utilitarian approach assigns different emission reduction goals to countries based on their wealth and ability to grow and maintain citizens' health.
Researchers used electricity market data to estimate short-run economic impact of COVID-19 in Europe, finding countries with severe outbreaks faced harsher recessions. Early and coordinated containment policies reduced financial and mortality impacts.
The study found large reductions in uninsurance and improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar control among Hispanic and Black patients after Medicaid expansion. The first five years of expansion were associated with significant benefits for these populations.
A study by researchers at Mainz University found that digital presence of service employees improves customer loyalty. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, showed that customers perceive websites with images or videos of service employees as more attractive and memorable, leading to increased customer loyalty.
Houser and Co-Principal Investigator Moumita Roy plan a lab experiment to analyze the effect of shared group identity on leader effectiveness. The project aims to contribute to policy suggestions on increasing diversity and inclusion in leadership.
A study published in PLOS One found that stimulus checks largely reversed post-lockdown spending declines and stimulated spending among people making less than $35,977 per year. The research analyzed 5.6 million daily transactions and identified local 'hot spots' of spending changes.
A new study found that Black and Latino families are most likely to experience financial stress due to student loan debt, even with lower levels of debt. The research analyzed data from the 2007-2009 Survey of Consumer Finances and discovered that higher levels of student loan debt increased financial stress for these households.
Daniel E. Houser and Jian Song will investigate how the distribution of random shocks affects effort provisions in rank-tournament participants using economic theory and laboratory experiments. The research aims to develop an improved understanding of why and how people make decisions when facing unlikely but possible bad outcomes.
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that eliminating physical currency could benefit average Americans as long as certain taxes are lowered too. The research finds that reducing cash transactions would lead to lower tax evasion, allowing governments to reduce other taxes and boost overall well-being.
The August nTIDE report shows an increase in employment-to-population ratio for workers with disabilities, reaching 31.5%, up from 30.8% in July. The labor force participation rate also increased by 1.4 percentage points, reflecting the resilience of workers with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study assesses how much energy is needed to provide the global poor with a decent life and found that this can be reconciled with efforts to meet climate targets. The researchers identified gaps in decent living standards (DLS) by region and estimated the amount of energy required to fill them.
A new study finds that distinctive license plates in Greece are more likely to appear on luxury cars, suggesting a market for bribery to obtain more desirable plates. This phenomenon is seen as a form of conspicuous corruption, where the value of the plate lies not in its price but in the hint of rule-breaking.