Pathway to Economic Growth Series: Developing Talent

Efforts to promote economic growth took center stage at the State of the Union last week as a top priority for 2018.

In the coming weeks, the Mercatus Center will share recently released research focused on a “Pathway to Economic Growth.” The research outlines how to lift up all Americans and reach our true economic potential:

1. Develop talent that drives economic growth.
2. Create an environment that encourages innovation.
3. Continue policies that have proven successful.
4. Avoid policies that undercut economic gains with uncertainty.

Developing Talent that Drives Economic Growth

• Breaking down the jobs report, employment, and wages: Michael Farren analyzes what the numbers mean.
• Identifying opportunities for Americans to find work: Though unemployment is low, Scott Winship finds Americans face historically high rates of "inactivity," particularly among working age men. To find your state's statistics, click here. 
• Understanding youth unemployment: David Neumark’s new paper finds the biggest factor in the decline in teenage employment since 2000 to be minimum wage increases.
• Actively pursuing policies that address the skills gap: Michael Farren’s testimony to the House Small Business Committee notes the causes and solutions to this issue.
• Reforming the immigration system in order to promote growth and meet the immediate needs of our economy: This table compares the current immigration levels to revised levels proposed by Daniel Griswold.

Next up: Creating an Environment that Encourages Innovation

Photo credit: Joe Raedle via Getty Images