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
Analyzing recent U.S. economic policies using Equitable Growth’s Inequality Tracker
January 22, 2026
January 22, 2026
In conversation with Sabeel Rahman
November 18, 2025
November 18, 2025
Accounting for capital gains in income significantly increases U.S. inequality
July 15, 2025
July 15, 2025
Americans informed about the distributional effects of Republicans’ tax and budget bill overwhelmingly oppose it
July 3, 2025
July 3, 2025
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
January 17, 2023
January 17, 2023
Six charts that explain how inequality in the United States changed over the past 20 years
February 1, 2022
February 1, 2022
Explore Content in Economic Inequality821
How combating voter suppression can help close the economic divides between Black and White Americans and spur U.S. economic growth
February 3, 2021
February 3, 2021
The consequences of political inequality and voter suppression for U.S. economic inequality and growth
February 3, 2021
February 3, 2021
Expert Focus: Understanding the economic impacts of climate change
January 28, 2021
January 28, 2021
New Equitable Growth book presents broad structural changes to boost U.S. wages for more equitable and sustainable economic growth
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Foreword: Boosting Wages for U.S. Workers in the New Economy
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Broad structural change is needed to boost wages in a U.S. economy that is more equitable to produce strong, sustainable economic growth
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Boosting wages when U.S. labor markets are not competitive
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Addressing gender and racial disparities in the U.S. labor market to boost wages and power innovation
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Place-conscious federal policies to reduce regional economic disparities in the United States
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Sovereignty and improved economic outcomes for American Indians: Building on the gains made since 1990
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Expert Focus: Understanding the role of market structure in equitable growth
December 16, 2020
December 16, 2020
New research shows the impact of 2020 job and income losses on family dynamics and parents’ mental health in vulnerable households
December 14, 2020
December 14, 2020
Explore the Equitable Growth network of experts around the country and get answers to today's most pressing questions!