The Inequality Myth

Western Societies Are Growing More Equal, Not Less
FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Daniel Waldenström has written a piece for the prestigious journal Foreign Affairs about the emerging myth that inequality is rising in the Western world. Daniel is a professor of economics and author of the book Richer and More Equal: A New History of Wealth in the West.

New publications
Kyklos

Trust and Income Among Immigrants in Europe

Using ESS data for 2002–22, we show that social trust boosts immigrant household income in Europe. For first-generation immigrants, inherited country-of-origin trust predicts income most strongly; for…
Journal Article
by Niclas Berggren, Erik Enger Karlson, Elis Hodzic




Our Research Programs

The research at the institute is conducted in five research programs: Firm Competitiveness; The Economics of Entrepreneurship; Geoeconomics; Institutions, Markets and Enterprise; and Taxation and Society.

Read more about our research


Browse through the current research at IFN in our Working Paper series

Discover the latest economic insights with our Working Paper series at the institute. Learn more about our new theoretical and empirical analysis and results before they are published in academic journals.

Recent Working Papers

News
7 April 2025

IFN launches a research program in geoeconomics

The Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN) is launching a new research program in geoeconomics, a field that combines geographical, economic, and political factors. The program aims to analyze how rising global tensions affect trade, investment, and industrial policy, as well as how these developments influence business decisions. The research will provide decision-makers with insights through analyses, case studies, and policy recommendations. Eight researchers are participating, and several projects are already underway, including ones focused on critical raw materials, sanctions, energy security, and changing supply chains. Fredrik Sjöholm is the program director. Read more.


31 March 2025

Niclas Berggren elected to the Executive Committee of the Public Choice Society

In early March, Andreas Bergh and Niclas Berggren, both IFN researchers, participated in the annual conference organized by the Public Choice Society, an academic association focused on political economy, founded in 1963 by, among others, Nobel Laureate James Buchanan. This year’s conference was held in Louisville, Kentucky.  In connection with the conference, Niclas Berggren was elected to the Executive Committee of the Society, which is responsible, among other things, for organizing the annual meetings. https://www.publicchoicesociety.org/about/




Calendar
03
Wednesday
September
Research seminar

TBA

Johan Gustafsson , Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics