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Cost of child rearing in China hinders baby boom

Oct 9, 2020
Besides the high costs of raising children, the cost of living is often cited as one of the key deterrents for young parents.
Fang Zixian and his abundance of toys — the first generation in his family to have such items.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Universal basic income, blockchain and more: Reimagining the next decade

"If people don't have money in their pockets, then this type of economy that we have can't work," says Wharton professor Mauro Guillén.
Mauro Guillén says that the future uses of blockchain, the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies, include incentivizing "prosocial behavior" like energy conservation.
Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images

China's economy rebounds from COVID-19, growing 3.2% in the second quarter

That makes it the first major economy to rebound since COVID-19 hit.
For comparison, China's economy shrank 6.8% in the first quarter of 2020.
Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

Could the third quarter of this year be the “fastest-growing in U.S. history”?

May 26, 2020
It depends on how you read the data, economist Megan Greene of Harvard says.
Several people in the Trump administration, including White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow, above, have said that there could be historic growth in the third quarter of this year.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Travelers, some in protective gear, walk through John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) as it stands mostly empty due to the ongoing cutbacks in travel because of the coronavirus on April 16, 2020 in New York City.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The three C's of historical economic growth

The economic boom of the 19th century cannot be attributed to capitalism alone, according to professor Homa Zarghamee.
A Newcastle coal wagon of 1773 on a railway line from "A Picture History of Railways" by C. Hamilton Ellis.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Is there really a "blue-collar boom"?

Jan 21, 2020
President Trump in Davos celebrated low- and middle-class gains. But staples of the blue-collar workforce, like manufacturing, are not faring well.
President Trump in Davos on January 21, 2020.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

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Economic growth for U.S. cities will depend on mix of industries

Dec 23, 2019
Oxford Economics says San Francisco will see the fastest economic growth over the next two years among U.S. cities, thanks to its strength in the tech sector.
San Francisco is projected to grow at an average of 2.4% over the next two years thanks to its strength in the tech sector.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

An economist responds to Greta Thunberg

Sep 24, 2019
"I think she is cutting out a political path on which economists must now travel," said economist Ashoka Mody.
Youth Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaks during the UN Climate Action Summit on September 23, 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

Sustainable growth and whether it's realistic or a "fairy tale"

Sep 24, 2019
Bill McKibben, environmental activist and founder of 350.org, says emphasis on continuous economic growth in the 20th century has backfired on us in the 21st century.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg called out world leaders for prioritizing economic growth over climate change at the United Nations Climate Action Summit Sept. 23 in New York City. Above, the UN General Assembly Hall.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images