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Economics is a discipline concerned with the consumption, production, and transfer of wealth by and among individuals (microeconomics) and communities or nations (macroeconomics); subspecialties range from economic development and planning to health economics and international economic relations. RAND's many economists contribute to multidisciplinary research projects by exploring the intersections where economics informs social, military, and governmental policy decisions.

Report
The Abraham Accords Could Have Wide-Reaching Economic Benefits
The Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations represent a possible new chapter in the region's development—away from conflict and toward a shared vision of economic prosperity. Israel's partners could gain 150,000 new jobs. And that could grow to 4 million new jobs over a decade if other nations join.
Mar 18, 2021
Research Brief
A New Approach to Measuring Income Inequality
A new method for measuring income inequality reveals that, from 1975 to 2018, the only group for which actual income gains exceeded U.S. GDP growth was the group near the 99th percentile of income distribution.
Apr 30, 2021

Explore Economics

Research Brief
The economic benefits of equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines
Researchers used a global macroeconomic model to examine the economic effects of vaccine nationalism. This brief highlights the cost to 30 high-income countries if low and middle-income countries miss out on initial access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Dec 17, 2020
Commentary
Curb Climate Change After COVID-19? Fast-Growing India and Brazil Are Key
India and Brazil are facing pressure to launch recoveries after the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Will they backslide on their Paris climate agreement commitments, or will the expected return of the United States to the pact encourage them to build a more sustainable economic future?
Dec 15, 2020
Commentary
RCEP Forms the World's Largest Trading Bloc. What Does This Mean for Global Trade?
In November, 15 nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade agreement of economic and political significance eight years in the making. Why have some heralded RCEP as a landmark agreement?
Dec 9, 2020
Report
China's Propensity for Innovation in the 21st Century
China aspires to be a major creator of new technologies and novel value-adding applications for those that already exist. How far will China be able to go toward achieving this goal? And what information is needed to better understand China’s propensity for innovation?
Dec 3, 2020
Journal Article
Estimating the Global Economic Benefits of Physically Active Populations Over 30 Years (2020–2050)
We assess the potential benefits of increased physical activity for the global economy for 23 countries and the rest of the world from 2020 to 2050. The main factors taken into account in the economic assessment are excess mortality and lower productivity.
Dec 1, 2020
Report
The Geopolitics of South Korea–China Relations
As Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific increases, U.S. allies and partners are adapting their strategic posture. But even as a key U.S. ally, South Korea seems different. How is Beijing’s growing influence in regional affairs affecting relations between South Korea and China? And what effect do they have on U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific?
Nov 18, 2020
Journal Article
On the Value of the Umbilical Cord Blood Supply
Several public cord blood banks are struggling financially, and the question remains whether additional allocations of funds to them are justified. This article estimates the social benefits of public cord blood bank inventory net of cord blood banks' operational costs.
Nov 17, 2020
Multimedia
Income Distribution in the United States: How It’s Changed Since the 1970s
RAND senior mathematician Carter Price describes how income distribution and the sharing of economic growth has changed since the 1970s.
Nov 11, 2020
Research Brief
Unequal Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Would Further Damage the Global Economy
As long as the coronavirus is not under control in all regions of the world there will continue to be a global economic cost associated with COVID-19. Vaccine nationalism could cost up to $1.2 trillion a year in GDP. If the poorest countries cannot access vaccines, the loss would be between $60 and $340 billion a year.
Nov 5, 2020
Commentary
Vietnam Is Losing Its Best Friends to China
The wide range of Chinese activities with Cambodia and Laos must be jarring for Vietnamese leaders. China has eclipsed Vietnam in Indochina, and that means that Hanoi's angst will only continue to rise in its own backyard. Vietnam will likely have to find alternative means of engaging Cambodia and Laos to combat Chinese influence in this critical region in the years to come.
Nov 2, 2020
Report
COVID-19 'Vaccine Nationalism' Could Cost $1.2 Trillion a Year
Nationalistic behavior by governments may exclude some countries from access to COVID-19 vaccines. This could cost the world economy up to $1.2 trillion a year in GDP. A globally coordinated effort to fight the pandemic is key, not only from a public health perspective but also an economic one.
Oct 28, 2020
Commentary
A Free Trade Agreement Still Comes with Costs
Major issues must be resolved before any UK-EU agreement on post-Brexit trade and economic relations is completed. There will be substantial costs associated with even a zero-tariff trade deal.
Oct 23, 2020
Journal Article
Estimating the Cost of Growing the NHS Cancer Workforce in England by 2029
This research aims to understand the requirements for the NHS, and particularly for HEE, of increasing the seven priority cancer workforces by 45 per cent by 2029.
Oct 14, 2020
Commentary
A $2.5 Trillion Question: What If Incomes Grew Like GDP Did?
Income inequality is an aspect of economics that resonates with many Americans: It feels like the rich are getting richer, while the rest are having a hard time just getting by. What would income distribution look like today if incomes grew apace with the economy?
Oct 6, 2020
Commentary
Belarusian Mortgage on Russia's Future
In September, President Vladimir Putin signaled that Russia was throwing its weight behind embattled Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. But any move to enforce Putin's will in Belarus could invite tougher Western sanctions and scare investors. This would exacerbate problems facing Russia's flagging economy.
Oct 5, 2020
Report
Challenges and Opportunities for the Puerto Rico Economy: A Review of Evidence and Options Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017
The authors review Puerto Rico's economic history and provide analysis following the 2017 hurricane season that serves as the context for a set of principles and actions in the recovery plan for rebuilding a healthy economy.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Supporting a 21st Century Workforce in Puerto Rico: Challenges and Options for Improving Puerto Rico's Workforce System Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017
A workforce development system that supports Puerto Rico's economic development requires a K through postsecondary education system that emphasizes individuals' career pathways and aligns training with the evolving labor market and business needs.
Sep 30, 2020
Multimedia
Unemployment Insurance: Why Does It Vary Across States?
RAND economist Kathryn Edwards discusses the variance of unemployment insurance across states and its effect on how workers are financially supported.
Sep 28, 2020
Commentary
Georgia: From COVID-19 to a Critical Test of Democracy
Georgia has successfully dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak but now must meet the task of conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections on October 31 and dealing with the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Sep 23, 2020
Tool
How Would a Better Diet Affect Health and Economic Outcomes in the United States?
An online tool shows the effect that improving diet quality in the United States could have on health and economic outcomes, such as the prevalence of diet-related illness, health care spending, and labor force participation, over a 30-year period.
Sep 21, 2020

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RAND Topic:
Economics

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Temusa Rukundo

Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School, and Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Temusa (Tusa) Rukundo is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. student in the Research, Analysis, and Design stream at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She has a B.A. in economics and political science with a concentration in international development from Macalester College. Her…
Steven W. Popper

Senior Economist

Steven W. Popper is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation and professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. As associate director of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (1996–2001), Popper provided analytic support to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and other…

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