Social Safety Net
Beyond hunger: The role of SNAP in alleviating financial strain for low-income households
The Brookings Economic Studies program provides analysis of current and emerging economic issues to promote innovative and practical policy solutions. Economic Studies scholars conduct rigorous research and policy analysis and communicate their findings to inform policymakers and the public in the areas of broad-based economic growth, economic opportunity and mobility, inclusive social policy, sound monetary and fiscal policy, and climate-resilient growth.
Latest research and commentary
Sustainable Development Goals
Challenges and opportunities of partnering with the informal sector
U.S. Economy
Did behavioral changes reduce COVID-19 deaths?
Health Care Policy
The outlook for U.S. health spending growth: A blast from the past?
June
252024
Featured experts
Ben Harris
Vice President and Director
- Economic Studies,
Director
- Retirement Security Project
@econ_harris
William G. Gale
The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies,
Co-Director
- Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
@WilliamGale2
Sanjay Patnaik
Director
- Center on Regulation and Markets,
Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
@sanjay_patnaik
David Wessel
Director
- The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
@davidmwessel
Tara Watson
Director
- Center for Economic Security and Opportunity,
Senior Fellow
- Economic Studies
@taraelizwatson
Media Coverage
Marketplace April 8, 2024
On NPR’s Marketplace, Loren Adler spoke about how private equity firms are changing the health care landscape.
CNN April 7, 2024
If you’re going to TikTok or Facebook to get information about the macroeconomy, the chances are very good that it’s going to be wrong.”
Ben Harris
Vice President and Director - Economic Studies, Director - Retirement Security Project @econ_harris
American Banker April 4, 2024
Donald Kohn appeared on American Banker’s “Buy the People” podcast to discuss the public pressures the Federal Reserve faces.
Donald Kohn
Robert V. Roosa Chair in International Economics, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies
Politico April 1, 2024
It would substantially strengthen the ability of the U.S. if it chose to seize [Russian] reserves.”
David Wessel
Director - The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @davidmwessel
Forbes March 11, 2024
James Stock’s research on climate tax policy reform was cited in an article on the 2025 Energy Tax Debate.
James Stock
Nonresident Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, Center on Regulation and Markets
Yahoo! Finance February 27, 2024
Sanjay Patnaik’s research on clean energy infrastructure permitting was citied in an article discussing congressional action on energy permitting.
Sanjay Patnaik
Director - Center on Regulation and Markets, Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @sanjay_patnaik
The Atlantic January 12, 2024
Ben Harris’s research on why Americans are so displeased with the economy was cited by The Atlantic’s Rogé Karma.
Ben Harris
Vice President and Director - Economic Studies, Director - Retirement Security Project @econ_harris
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 11, 2023
“In my view, the BRICS so far has been more of a talking forum for some of the largest emerging economies rather than a structured entity with a complete commonality of views on the..."
Brookings Papers on Economic Activity
The Brookings Papers on Economic Activity (BPEA) is a semi-annual academic conference and journal that pairs rigorous research with real-time policy analysis to address the most urgent economic challenges of the day.
Past Event
March
28-29
2024
U.S. Economy
BPEA Spring 2024 conference
Banking & Finance
The evolution of banking in the 21st century
Monetary Policy
Why do we dislike inflation?
Public Health
The impact of vaccines and behavior on US cumulative deaths from COVID-19
