Topic Economic Inequality

Economic inequality is the unequal distribution of income and wealth and it has been rising in the United States in recent decades. Questions about whether and how this rise in inequality affects economic growth and stability are fundamental to Equitable Growth’s work, which explores how economic inequality impacts individuals and families across a wide range of issues, and what policies might address these challenges.

Featured work

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U.S. income and wealth inequality are no longer increasing, but a return to the equitable levels of the mid-20th century isn’t likely anytime soon

Inequality & Mobility
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A review of federal lending to small business owners of color during the COVID-19 pandemic

Tax & MacroeconomicsInequality & Mobility
Equitable Economy

Why the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is good economics

Inequality & MobilityTax & Macroeconomics
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Six charts that explain how inequality in the United States changed over the past 20 years

Inequality & Mobility
TOPICS: 1
TOPICS: GDP 2.0
In Conversation

In Conversation with Mehrsa Baradaran

Inequality & MobilityTax & Macroeconomics
Vision 2020

The logistics of a reparations program in the United States

Tax & MacroeconomicsInequality & MobilityFamilies

Explore Content in Economic Inequality761

The Rise of Populism

How the China trade shock impacted U.S. manufacturing workers and labor markets, and the consequences for U.S. politics

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

America’s job-quality crisis and how to revive workers’ pay, dignity, job advancement, and economic well-being

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

Understanding the role of immigration and economic factors in boosting support for far-right political parties

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

Federal and state governments can help solve the employment problems of people in distressed places to spur equitable growth

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

More accurately measuring economic sentiment will help build a U.S. economy—and democracy—that works for all

Inequality & MobilityFamilies
The Rise of Populism

Housing insecurity and U.S. economic policies: Lessons from tenant organizing

Inequality & MobilityFamilies
The Rise of Populism

Countering right-wing populism: Identifying its cultural roots and charting a path forward

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

How the economic and political geography of the United States fuels right-wing populism—and what the Democratic Party can do about it

Inequality & Mobility
The Rise of Populism

The political implications of bad jobs and the decline of unions

LaborInequality & MobilityFamilies
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Tariffs pose real risks to the U.S. labor market

Inequality & MobilityFamiliesLabor
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Testimony by Michael Linden before the House Budget Committee

Inequality & MobilityTax & Macroeconomics
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Why do some jobs pay better than others? Think about what workers do.

Inequality & MobilityLabor
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