On June 5, 2024, the UPF Department of Economics and Business hosted an insightful lecture by Professor Oded Galor, the Herbert H. Goldberger Professor of Economics at Brown University. The event, part of the Departmental Seminar Series, drew faculty and students eager to hear from a leading figure in economic growth and development.

Prof. Galor presented his latest research, titled "Roots of Inequality," which investigates the origins of economic disparities. Research findings suggest that variations in income inequality across societies can be largely attributed to differences in societal interpersonal diversity established during the prehistoric Out-of-Africa migration.

Prof. Galor explained how market economy earning differentials — reflecting variations in productive traits — are influenced by the degree of diversity within ancestral populations. This, he argued, shapes the economic behaviours and resulting income inequalities observed in contemporary societies. His findings indicate that recognising the impact of ancestral diversity is crucial for formulating effective economic policies tailored to address deep-rooted disparities.

A distinguished economist, Prof. Galor specialises in growth and comparative development, population economics, and evolutionary economics. He obtained his Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1984 after completing his earlier education at Hebrew University. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and a Foreign Member of the Academy of Europe.

Prof. Galor's seminal book, "The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality," has been published in over 31 languages, underscoring his global influence. His work frequently explores the roles of population diversity and cultural fragmentation in economic disparities, providing profound insights into the dynamics of economic development and the challenges of inequality.