Economic Policy Institute

Jobs

Education

Immigration

Rooted in Racism

Hurricanes’ impact will distort Friday’s jobs report, but there’s no reason to be spooked about the labor market

The broader sweep of economic evidence—including yesterday’s extremely strong reading on gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the third quarter of 2024—tells a clear story: The U.S. economy and labor market is extraordinarily strong relative to any historical benchmark. Read more

Today’s teacher shortage is just the tip of the iceberg: Part I

The impact of a national teaching shortage is profound and will impact students for year to come. Normally, labor shortages are resolved by market competition pushing up wages. But because this isn’t the type of labor market for education, it won’t happen for teachers.

The labor shortage will only be solved by policymakers affirmatively deciding to raise the pay of the nation’s public school teachers and undertake investments that help children’s education. Read more

The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms are needed to maximize gains

Immigration strengthens the U.S. economy and has great potential to boost it more. However, current policies squander benefits by depriving immigrants of their full rights and employers easily manipulate the system.

If immigration policy was improved to guarantee equal and enforceable labor and workplace rights, especially when aligned with intersecting policies, win-win opportunities abound for the United States. Read the report

Voter suppression makes the racist and anti-worker Southern model possible

Black voter disenfranchisement remains a key feature of the racist and anti-worker Southern economic development model today. However, periods of progress toward Black political empowerment show that targeted policy action has the power to dismantle racist barriers to political participation and disrupt the cycle of political suppression and economic exploitation. Read more

Latest Research

The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms needed to maximize gains: Recommendations and a review of key issues to ensure fair wages and labor standards for all workers

October 4, 2024 By Daniel Costa, Josh Bivens, Ben Zipperer, and Monique Morrissey Report
Voter suppression makes the racist and anti-worker Southern model possible: Rooted in Racism and Economic Exploitation: Spotlight

October 1, 2024 By Daniel Perez Report
Federal AI legislation: An evaluation of existing proposals and a road map forward

September 25, 2024 By Patrick Oakford, Josh Bivens, and Celine McNicholas Report
CEO pay declined in 2023: But it has soared 1,085% since 1978 compared with a 24% rise in typical workers’ pay

September 19, 2024 By Josh Bivens, Elise Gould, and Jori Kandra Report
Teacher pay rises in 2023—but not enough to shrink pay gap with other college graduates

September 12, 2024 By Sylvia Allegretto Report

View all publications

Blog

Top-line job growth number distorted by hurricanes and strikes: All other data point to a historically strong labor market

November 1, 2024 By EPI Staff Blog
Five things to consider on Election Day if you care about economic and racial justice

October 31, 2024 By Nicole Lewis Blog
Hurricanes’ impact will distort Friday’s jobs report, but there’s no reason to be spooked about the labor market

October 31, 2024 By Josh Bivens Blog
Behind the numbers of Hispanic employment: A strong labor market has delivered historic gains, but differences remain among demographic groups

October 25, 2024 By Ismael Cid-Martinez and Stevie Marvin Blog
Seven reasons why today’s economy is historically strong

October 21, 2024 By Josh Bivens Blog
Time is running out for state and local governments to obligate American Rescue Plan funds

October 17, 2024 By Dave Kamper and Emma Cohn Blog
Today’s teacher shortage is just the tip of the iceberg: Part II

October 16, 2024 By Hilary Wething Blog

Visit the blog

EPI in the news

COMMENTARY: Reviving cities and towns across America

But, it’s also essential that we dispel myths and counter misinformation. Despite the belief that immigrants hurt U.S.-born workers, for example, the data shows otherwise: Economic Policy Institute findings:

Immigrants spur renewal by renovating and filling vacant housing; as the enterprising newcomers they often are, they start new businesses, create jobs and bring new purchasing power and thus raise living standards.

New Jersey Hills Media Group | November 6, 2024
Your Money Is On The Ballot: Why Your Vote Is Your Financial Power Move

In the workplace, the Economic Policy Institute’s research paints a clear picture: Black women lose an average of $964,400 over a 40-year career due to the wage gap. States with stronger equal pay laws show up to 30% smaller wage gaps, and unionized Black women earn 26% more than their non-unionized peers.

Essence | November 6, 2024
Why you haven’t heard more about the minimum wage this election season

…far more likely to get passed under a Harris administration,” says Ben Zipperer, senior economist with the left-leaning Economic Policy…[paywall].

Forbes | November 6, 2024
Trump Serves Up One Last Insult to Working-Class Voters

Five years earlier Puzder had sanctimoniously fired his housekeeper when he found out she was undocumented, yet he didn’t pay her state and federal employment taxes until after his nomination. “Andrew Puzder fails every test for a labor secretary,” the nonprofit Economic Policy Institute concluded.

New Republic | November 6, 2024
Trump’s Second Term Poses Range Of Outcomes For NLRB

said Celine McNicholas, the director of policy and government affairs at the progressive Economic Policy Institute. “That’s probably the most likely …[paywall].

Law360 | November 6, 2024
Map: Minimum Wage by State, Pay Going up With Election

The Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, estimates that the hike would directly affect 16,000 workers in Alaska, and, in total, directly …

Business Insider | November 6, 2024
Border important issue in battleground states like Arizona

Immigration has had a profound impact on the economy. About 50% of the labor market’s recent growth came from foreign-born workers between January 2023 and January 2024, according to The Economic Policy Institute analysis of federal data.

NewsNation | November 6, 2024

More EPI in the news

Advanced search

Authoritative, up-to-date data on the living standards of American workers. State of Working America Data Library

A national network of research and policy groups improving economic conditions for working families. Visit EARN

Explores and explains how race, ethnicity, and class intersect to affect economic outcomes in the US. Meet P.R.E.E.

Policy choices have tilted the playing field toward the rich and corporations. Here's how to tilt it back. View the agenda

Shattering the myth of equal power in the workplace. Unequal power

How do taxes and spending work, and where do you fit in? Explore

Related

Related

Related

More from Rooted in Racism

Latest Research

The U.S. benefits from immigration but policy reforms needed to maximize gains: Recommendations and a review of key issues to ensure fair wages and labor standards for all workers

Voter suppression makes the racist and anti-worker Southern model possible: Rooted in Racism and Economic Exploitation: Spotlight

Federal AI legislation: An evaluation of existing proposals and a road map forward

CEO pay declined in 2023: But it has soared 1,085% since 1978 compared with a 24% rise in typical workers’ pay

Teacher pay rises in 2023—but not enough to shrink pay gap with other college graduates

Blog

Top-line job growth number distorted by hurricanes and strikes: All other data point to a historically strong labor market

Five things to consider on Election Day if you care about economic and racial justice

Hurricanes’ impact will distort Friday’s jobs report, but there’s no reason to be spooked about the labor market

Behind the numbers of Hispanic employment: A strong labor market has delivered historic gains, but differences remain among demographic groups

Seven reasons why today’s economy is historically strong

Time is running out for state and local governments to obligate American Rescue Plan funds

Today’s teacher shortage is just the tip of the iceberg: Part II

EPI in the news

Data Library

EARN

Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy

Policy Agenda

Unequal Power

Tax & Spending Explorer

Related

Related

Related

More from Rooted in Racism

EPI in the news

Sign up to stay informed