Wolfers is an economist with broad policy-related interests and experience. He is also affiliated with the NBER, Brookings and the Peterson Institute for International Economics. He is a contributing columnist for the New York Times and host of the “Think Like An Economist” podcast. He is a popular teacher and author of a leading economics textbook.
From A.I. to zero emissions
Ford School faculty host and are featured in a variety of podcasts, covering policy topics from artificial intelligence, everyday economics, national security, and more.
My job has always been to demonstrate to...
Fears of inflation and recession, the Fed interest rate hike, and the underlying causes, have been at the top of the news for several weeks. Ford School economics professors Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers have been highly sought-after for their...
“(Putin) has already violated every international treaty, including the U.N. charter, by invading. This has international implications, not just European implications. Now, the question of what we do and how we do it, with regards to sanctions or...
The inflation rate in April in the U.S. was 8.3%, slightly down from the previous month. As the Fed addresses the issue, there is worry that stringent measures could cause a recession. Speaking to ABC Australia, Ford School professor Justin Wolfers...
Inflation has been as high as 8.5% in recent months, and despite other positive economic factors, CNN reports that President Joe Biden may be “close to the point of no return with Americans on the economy.” Ford School economics professor Justin...
Bloomberg reports that the Covid-19 pandemic, now in its third year, has turned into a catalyst for lasting economic change, which will outlast the disease.
Ford School economics professor Justin Wolfers notes that on the one hand the economy has...
Despite low unemployment and rising wages, inflation is causing President Biden to struggle with low approval ratings. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, discussed how he would frame the economy to raise approval...
With inflation running high, yet unemployment low, President Biden's approval rating has sunk, signaling the economic anxiety of Americans. In light of this, Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, discussed the economy and...
The labor market is still booming, according to the latest jobs report. Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson, both professors of public policy and economics, broke down what the jobs report means for Americans.
"I do think it more likely that the...
Inflation continues to dominate headlines as Americans worry about rising prices everywhere from housing to the gas pump. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, provided some insight into the state of the economy.
"There’s no...
Gas prices have risen to record levels, and sanctions against Russia could force them higher. On Capitol Hill, suspending gas taxes has entered the conversation. But, Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, warns against...
Ford School economics professor Justin Wolfers reacted to the strong March jobs report.
“Very very strong payrolls report: +678k jobs in February, with unemployment edging down to 3.8%. Add in solid positive revisions that added a total of +92k...
As technology improves, economists are handed more and more data to make predictions with. But, does it make those predictions better?
“The evidence seems to be if we are, only a little bit," Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and...
Americans are becoming increasingly worried about inflation. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, discussed the Federal Reserve's current approach to intervening in the economy to address the issue.
"The mechanism by which...
Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, recently appeared on WDET to talk about the economy, inflation, and jobs.
"People are complaining about rising prices and inflation. That’s their concern right now. It’s not about jobs,"...
The latest jobs report reflects a strong, recovering economy. But, Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, explained that not all Americans are feeling the effects of recovery.
"A lot of people, particularly older people, have...
As consumer prices rise, some Americans panic that inflation will continue unabated. With its new interet rate policy, some are wondering if the Federal Reserve made a mistake. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, has faith in...
When West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (D) announced he could not support the Biden administration's Build Back Better plan, one of the reasons he cited was the inflationary effect an injection of $2 trillion could have on the economy. Ford School...
Writing in The New York Times, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers shared their views on what the future of work looks like in 2022—an economic upheaval they call "The Great Reallocation"—which just may lead to a more humane labor market.
They...
As the omicron variant spreads, the impact it will have on the fragile economic recovery remains uncertain. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, talked to numerous media outlets about economic recovery, the jobs report, and...
Following the release of the November jobs report, Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, broke down what it means in an op-ed in The New York Times.
"This chill in employment might lead one to conclude the economy’s too cold,...
Justin Wolfers penned an opinion piece for the New York Times, sharing his views on the striking gender imbalance on college campuses these days: roughly three women students for every two men.
“The simple mathematics of more women than men...
Justin Wolfers says that increasing vaccination rates could help solve inflation and supply chain issues.
“One of the most important things we can do in fact is vaccinating the globe. When people talk about inflation, we’ll talk about supply...
In a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki quoted Justin Wolfers, in regards to the Biden administration's recent vaccine and testing mandate for companies.
"Viewing Biden’s vaccine mandate as simply economic policy, it’s...
Following the passing of Texas law ending abortion access after six weeks of pregnancy, more than 150 economists, Justin Wolfers among them, submitted a brief in a court case in Mississippi that is seeking to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"Ample evidence...
Some of America's top business executives met with President Biden on Wednesday to discuss the new vaccine and testing mandate for large businesses. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, explained why executive support for the...
Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers, both professors of public policy and economics, were among the 127 economists demanding Democrats in Congress to invest in quality childcare.
"Childcare is an economic problem," Stevenson said. "It is part of...
After a few months of economic recovery, the delta variant is slowing down the economy yet again.
"Today's dreadful jobs report - which basically put the recovery on ice for a while - is yet another reminder that the virus is the economy," Justin...
As the world adjusts to what life will look like as the pandemic ebbs, one key question is whether the work-from-home trend will continue. Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics, said that workers are more productive at home,...