Research

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
Eric Verhoogen

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