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 national income inequality in the United States contributes to economic disparities between regions
March 27, 2019
March 27, 2019
Gender wage inequality in the United States: Causes and solutions to improve family well-being and economic growth
March 25, 2019
March 25, 2019
The distribution of wealth in the United States and implications for a net worth tax
March 21, 2019
March 21, 2019
Testimony by Heather Boushey before the Ways and Means Committee
February 13, 2019
February 13, 2019
New research shows links between the quality of U.S. retail workers’ schedules and their well-being
February 8, 2019
February 8, 2019
State of the Union speech highlights the need for more precise data on U.S. economic growth
February 7, 2019
February 7, 2019
Seven graphs to consider while watching the State of the Union address
February 4, 2019
February 4, 2019
Economic change and the social safety net: Are rural Americans still behind?
February 1, 2019
February 1, 2019
Progress toward consensus on measuring U.S. income inequality
January 16, 2019
January 16, 2019
In conversation with Karen Dynan
December 12, 2018
December 12, 2018
Investments in early childhood education improve outcomes for program participants—and perhaps other children too
December 4, 2018
December 4, 2018
U.S. income growth has been stagnant. To what degree depends on how you measure it.
November 28, 2018
November 28, 2018
Explore the Equitable Growth network of experts around the country and get answers to today's most pressing questions!