This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics rewards work relating to the understanding of differences in prosperity between nations, the Academy jury announced this Monday. Three researchers from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and the University of Chicago are distinguished: Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu and British-Americans Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson.
“This is a real shock and extraordinary news. Thank you”reacted Daron Acemoglu, questioned by the Nobel committee.
The researchers were rewarded “for their studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”explained the jury. “Reducing the huge income differences between countries is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The winners showed the importance of institutions to achieve this”said Jakob Svensson, chairman of the economic sciences prize committee, quoted in a press release. “This year’s winners have pioneered new approaches, both empirical and theoretical, that have significantly advanced our understanding of global inequality,” he told the press.
The Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences, commonly referred to as the “Nobel” of economics, closes the 2024 season of the famous awards. In 2023, it is the American Claudia Goldin who had been awarded for her work on the evolution of women’s place in the job market and their income. The winners receive a check for 11 million crowns (920,000 euros), to be shared in the event of multiple winners.
The 2024 Nobel Prizes:
