Explaining the distribution of wellbeing: the role of institutions versus market-driven changes

Inequality is one of the major societal problems, and finding the right policies to fight inequalities is challenging. In this project, we approach inequality as a multidimensional phenomenon, which pertains – in addition to material wellbeing – to health and multigenerational linkages in social status.

The project studies first, using and developing further international best-practice methods, the trends in inequalities in Finland. Second, the project seeks causal explanations that have generated these trends. A key distinction we make is between market-driven changes (for instance changes in the remuneration practices in globalizing firms) and institutional interventions (such as the impacts of educational policies). As a whole, the project offers timely and credible knowledge crucially needed to design policies combating inequalities.

The project is part of a larger consortion funded by the Academy of Finland "Explaining the distribution of wellbeing: the role of institutions versus market-driven changes".

The research is funded by: Academy of Finland

Partners: University of Helsinki, Labour Institute for Economic Research, Institute for Fiscal Studies, MIT, UC Berkeley

Responsible researcher: Tuomas Kosonen, [email protected], 0295 519 440