A-Z I Help I Contact I Norwegian
»Main page »Research
Microeconomics
Research in this area uses a variety of econometric methods and simulation models to enhance understanding of the economic behaviour of persons, households and businesses under existing statutory and economic conditions, represented, i.a., by government policy. An important question concerns the effect of policy changes on economic agents. Studies include discussions of the role of households as consumers and sources of labour, the distribution of income and wealth, and effect of education on economic outcomes and firm behaviour.
Research fields in Microeconomics

Consumer behaviour

Studies of consumer behaviour describe the behavioural effect of factors such as prices, interest rates and income. Research seeks to identify how variables like age, sex, education and number of children alter the behaviour of different consumer groups. Government policy performance is evaluated and consumption trends projected into the future.

Econometric methods and microeconometrics

Research in this area seeks to facilitate the theoretical development of econometric method and method application. Methods are used to formulate, estimate and test empirical relations based on economic theory. Applications based on microdata include studies of individual, household and corporate behaviour. The models are also used in policy analysis, including counterfactual analysis.

Economics of education

Studies here look into the economic and social determinants of educational outcomes and how they affect educational performance. Issues explored include the impact on results of resources allocated to schools, intergenerational effects of education, relationship between education and economic growth, and effect of education on wages.

Firm behaviour

Research in this area includes econometric analysis of microdata to facilitate insight into corporate behaviour. Studies address the ability of policy instruments to stimulate corporate R&D investment, and the impact of different corporate and capital taxation designs on real business investment.

Income distribution

Distribution analysis facilitates an understanding of how economic factors and policy affect income and wealth distribution over time. Studies seek to explain income and wealth distribution variation, with a particular focus on economic poverty.

Labour market

In this area of research labour supply and demand are studied, along with their impact on i.a. wages and employment/unemployment. Studies address the significance of the tax system and of technological and institutional factors. Given the labour market’s importance to economic performance and to most people’s economy and living standards, there are several points in common with studies under other headings.

Local public finance

This research field includes studies of local government behaviour, particularly spending and priorities relative to different services/social groups. At the individual level, studies address the distribution of municipal services in light of income and poverty distribution. Nationally, variations in local governments’ service provision over time, and their effect on municipal sector financing, are in focus.

Pensions

Research in this field addresses effects of demographic shifts and benefit system changes on individual pensions, government spending and income distribution. Behavioural effects are also taken into account. Studies generally apply a microsimulation model based on individual life history data. The results are fed into integrated analyses of the Norwegian economy and public finances.

Savings

Research in this area concerns individuals’ and households’ adjustments to maintain a stable consumption pattern over the life-cycle in the face of fluctuating income. Studies explore the effect of government policy and finance markets on overall saving, and aim at identifying motivations to save and factors affecting lifetime saving propensities.

Taxes

In this area of research, different forms of taxation  including direct taxation of individual and businesses and indirect taxation of goods and services  are studied. Microdata help identify causal links and microsimulation and general equilibrium models help determine the impact of changes. Studies show the welfare effect of taxation: taxes’ distributive implications and efficiency loss.

Research

Staff
Projects
Research areas
Energy and environmental economics
Macroeconomic
Microeconomics
Public economy
Social and demographic research
Statistical methods and standards
Contacts

Nils Martin Stølen

Rolf Aaberge