Eric Verhoogen co-authors study on causes of poverty in poor countries

Study finds low productivity is not the only factor, but misallocation of funds is another major factor.

January 21, 2026

A study co-authored by Eric Verhoogen found that misallocation of funds was a major factor of poverty in poor countries, along with the expected cause of low productivity.

Verhoogen, a Columbia professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs in the School of International and Public Affairs, is a co-leader with Columbia sociology Professor Joshua Whitford of the Firms and Industrial Policy Idea Lab with the Center for Political Economy.

Read the study