Pioneering research and methods to unlock economic growth and prosperity around the world
At the Growth Lab, we push the frontiers of economic growth and development policy research, collaborate with policymakers to design actions, and share our insights through teaching, tools and publications, in the pursuit of global inclusive prosperity.
Spotlight
Innovation
DEEP DIVE
A new interactive dashboard maps innovation ecosystems for 193 countries using big data from patents, trademarks, publications, and exports.
Our Philosophy
Info Session
Learn more about the Growth Lab’s mission, ‘teaching hospital’ philosophy, academic and policy research, and student opportunities.
AI & Trade
trend insight
Countries benefit from foreign AI progress through cheaper imports, but without domestic adoption, they risk losing competitiveness.
Featured Research
Policy Research
A Strategy for Building Canada’s Post-America Economy
For decades, Canada built its prosperity on economic integration with the United States, yet it can no longer take access to the U.S. trade market for granted. In their new book, Canada After America, Ricardo Hausmann and Eric Protzer offer a practical strategy for Canadian prosperity while retaining its independence. Drawing on insights from economic complexity, they argue Canada should not retreat from globalization; Canada must get more of its natural resources to global markets while building industries—aerospace, life sciences, technology—that can operate freely across continents.
Academic Research
How Geopolitical Tensions Impact International Research Collaborations
Increases in geopolitical distance are associated with reductions in international research and innovation collaborations, according to new research published in the journal Research Policy. This negative association is especially pronounced in critical fields such as quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, as well as in collaborations involving the United States and China. At the same time, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, overall collaboration patterns have not changed substantially in recent years, suggesting resilience in international research and innovation networks.
Events
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Upcoming
Get to Know the Growth Lab: Research and Student Engagement Showcase
September 16 | 4:30 pm–6:00 pm
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Upcoming
Tradability and Goods’ Prices: A Tale of Two Regions.
September 22 | 9:30 am–10:45 am
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Upcoming
The Indian Innovation Puzzle
September 29 | 9:30 am–10:45 am
How We Work
Academic Research
Our wide range of research falls into three categories – economic transformation, knowledge and technology diffusion, and the coordination of knowhow – and draws on multiple disciplines.
Policy Research
Through country policy engagements, we employ and test various research approaches, tailored to a country, region, or city’s specific constraints, opportunities, and capacity.
Digital Tools
We translate research and thoughts into web applications and interactive storytelling, all made publicly available and used by a global community of policymakers, scholars, investors, and journalists.
We integrate research insights into master’s and doctoral degree curricula at Harvard Kennedy School and executive education curricula for senior economists and policymakers.
We engage through seminars, special events, internships, podcasts, op-eds and social media.
We diffuse insights through working papers, peer-reviewed journals, books, reports, policy briefs, etc.
Where We Work
For the last 20 years, we have worked with developing and advanced economies at the city, regional, and national levels. We have partnered with, trained, and engaged over 5,000 policymakers and practitioners worldwide.