Unlock Global Change in Development Economics: Pioneering Careers Await!
Development Economics stands at the forefront of addressing poverty, inequality, and sustainable growth in emerging economies. Aspiring academics and job seekers can find transformative higher ed jobs in this dynamic field, from faculty roles at top universities to policy advising. Whether you're a student eyeing PhD programs or a professor seeking new challenges, Development Economics offers prestige and purpose. Recent Nobel Prizes, like those to Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo in 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on poverty alleviation, highlight its influence. Dive into faculty positions shaping policies at institutions like MIT's J-PAL or Harvard's Kennedy School. Check Development Economics professor ratings to gauge teaching excellence. Explore professor salaries and trends, with U.S. assistant professors averaging $130,000 annually. Parents and students, discover study paths in econ, stats, and fieldwork. Job seekers, browse faculty jobs or lecturer jobs. Start your journey today with listings across US and UK academia.
Why Study Development Economics?
For students and parents, Development Economics blends rigorous economics with real-world impact. Core studies include growth theory, microfinance, and RCTs, often requiring strong math and stats backgrounds. Top undergrad paths lead to PhDs at elite programs like Princeton or Oxford. Unique quirk: field experiments in remote Kenyan villages, testing cash transfers' effects on farming—revealing unexpected boosts in asset accumulation. Career advice abounds on higher ed career advice pages. Graduates pursue academia, World Bank roles, or NGOs, with high employability in policy circles.
Prestige and Top Programs in Development Economics
Development Economics boasts Ivy League dominance, with Harvard and MIT leading via centers like CID and J-PAL. Prestige peaks with Nobels: Amartya Sen (1998) for welfare economics, influencing famine prevention strategies. Fringe case: Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Programme, studied extensively, quirks in gender impacts during droughts. Rate standout faculty on Rate My Professor for Development Economics. Explore Ivy League opportunities or Ivy League guide.
Leading Development Economics Programs
- MIT - J-PAL (RCT pioneers)
- Harvard - Center for International Development
- Oxford - Centre for the Study of African Economies
- UC Berkeley - Center for Effective Global Action
- Chicago - Becker Friedman Institute
Faculty Job Opportunities in Development Economics
Professors find abundant professor jobs and postdoc positions, especially in U.S. research universities and UK unijobs via jobs.ac.uk. Trends favor experts in climate adaptation and digital finance. Locale quirk: Australia's ANU excels in Pacific Island development, with roles tied to aid policy. Search research jobs or university jobs. Use free resume template for applications.
Find Development Economics Jobs NowSalary Expectations and Earnings Trends
Development Economics faculty enjoy competitive pay. Visit professor salaries for details; U.S. assistant profs average $135,000, associates $160,000, full professors $210,000+ at top schools. UK lecturers start at £45,000, professors £70,000+. Trends: 5-7% annual growth post-2020, driven by policy demand. Fringe: High earners in DC think tanks blend academia with consulting, exceeding $250k.
| Rank | US Average (2023) | UK Average (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $135,000 | £50,000 |
| Associate | $160,000 | £60,000 |
| Full Professor | $210,000 | £75,000 |
Check Development Economics Rate My Professor for insights on high-earners.
Emerging Trends and Unique Insights
RCTs dominate, but debates rage: William Easterly critiques aid inefficiencies, citing Haiti post-earthquake failures. Future: AI in poverty prediction, green growth in India. Students, align with career advice. Faculty, leverage recruitment tools.
Associations for Development Economics
Development Studies Association
A UK-based association dedicated to promoting the study and understanding of international development, including economic aspects.
European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes
A leading European network that fosters research, training, and dialogue on global development issues.
Society for International Development
An international network promoting sustainable and equitable development through dialogue and knowledge sharing.
International Development Economics Associates
A global network of progressive economists focused on alternative approaches to development economics and policy.
African Economic Research Consortium
An organization aimed at strengthening local capacity for economic policy research and graduate training in Africa.
Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association
An association promoting high-quality economic research and teaching in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on development issues.
International Economic Development Council
A US-based organization providing resources and support for economic development professionals worldwide.





