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 inclusive prosperity.
Policy Research
Bolivia’s Economic Pivot: Findings and Reform Priorities
In response to Bolivia’s deepening economic crisis, our researchers spent more than a year examining the underlying causes of the country’s challenges. We’ve released a new series of reports that show how a broad institutional breakdown weakened private investment, export capacity, and productivity growth across the economy. Our team has outlined a five-pillar plan to stabilize the economy and unlock Bolivia’s long-term potential.
Academic Research
Industrial Research Labs Powered the Golden Age of U.S. Innovation
The rise of industrial research labs fundamentally reshaped the U.S. innovation system in the early 20th century by enabling large-scale, science-based, team-oriented invention, according to new research published in the journal Research Policy. The findings suggest that new technologies, such as AI-powered digital collaboration tools, could play a similar role today by reducing coordination costs and potentially reshaping how collective invention is organized.
tools
Vietnam and China Poised to Lead Global Growth
New projections in the Atlas of Economic Complexity suggest that Vietnam and China are positioned to lead global growth in the decade ahead, driven by their sophisticated and diverse manufacturing capabilities. Growth over the coming decade is projected to concentrate in three global poles: East Asia, Central Asia, and East Africa. The 2024 Economic Complexity rankings reveal a dramatic reshaping of global productive capabilities, with Asian economies claiming four of the top five positions.
Events
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Past Event
Who Captures Knowledge Spillovers? Academic Mobility and the Geography of Scientific Inequality
April 30 | 10:00 am–11:30 am
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Past Event
The Startup State: What Drives Economies That Innovate
April 28 | 12:30 pm–1:30 pm
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Past Event
Ecuador: Economic Reactivation at the Global Crossroads and the New Commercial Era
April 17 | 12:00 pm–1:00 pm
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
We have partnered with, trained, and engaged over 5,000 policymakers and practitioners around the world.
20 Years of Impact & Reach
52
Country-Specific Projects
345
Research Publications
1,600
Executive Education Participants
5,200
Community of Practice