A Dynamic Year of Growth and Milestones: Read the 2025 Yale Economics Annual Magazine

Read the full Department of Economics 2025 Annual Magazine Here.

The Department of Economics is proud to release its 2025 Annual Magazine, documenting a year marked by record student interest, significant faculty growth, and global recognition for members of the Yale Economics community, past and present. From historic enrollments in introductory courses to a Nobel Prize awarded to alumnus Joel Mokyr ’74 PhD, this year’s issue captures a department operating at the forefront of research, teaching, and public engagement.

Economics continues to be Yale’s most popular undergraduate major, with nearly 3,000 students enrolled in economics courses this year. In Fall 2025, Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 115), taught by Professor Cormac O’Dea, became Yale’s most-enrolled course, setting a new departmental record with 528 students. The Department’s PhD program likewise continues to thrive, celebrating strong placement outcomes and welcoming a new cohort of exceptional graduate students.

The Magazine opens with a letter from new Department Chair Samuel Kortum, who reflects on a dynamic moment for Yale Economics following years of growth and renewal. This period also marked significant faculty growth, with new scholars joining the Department across a wide range of fields, deepening connections between theory, data, and policy.

Readers will also find updates from the Department’s three affiliated research centers—the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, the Economic Growth Center, and the Tobin Center for Economic Policy—alongside feature stories highlighting faculty research and teaching. In-depth profiles explore new work on the economics of children and families, immigration and economic history, and the enduring influence of foundational research in industrial organization.

Together, these stories reflect a department defined by intellectual breadth, collaboration, and real-world relevance. We invite alumni, students, colleagues, and friends to explore the 2025 Annual Magazine and share in this exciting moment for Yale Economics.

Read the full Department of Economics 2025 Annual Magazine Here. The Magazine was designed by Pure Design LLC, and features artwork by Vashon, WA based artist Sean Williams.