Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt have won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics for their groundbreaking work on innovation-driven growth. Mokyr explored historical foundations of technological progress, while Aghion and Howitt developed the theory of creative destruction. Their research has shaped global economic policy and growth strategies.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences has been awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their pioneering work on innovation-driven economic growth. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award on October 13, recognizing the trio’s contributions to understanding how technological progress fuels sustained development.
Key Highlights From The Announcement
- Joel Mokyr received one half of the prize for identifying the historical and scientific prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress.
- Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt jointly received the other half for their development of the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction.
- Mokyr’s research emphasized the importance of scientific understanding behind innovations, showing how knowledge accumulation enabled successive breakthroughs post-Industrial Revolution.
- Aghion and Howitt’s model of creative destruction explains how new innovations replace outdated technologies, driving long-term productivity and economic expansion.
- The award includes a diploma, gold medal, and a monetary prize of 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.2 million).
Scientific Significance
The laureates’ work has reshaped modern economic thought by linking innovation to macroeconomic growth. Their theories have influenced policy frameworks around R&D investment, education, and entrepreneurship, especially in emerging economies seeking sustainable development.
Global Impact
The recognition comes at a time when nations are grappling with productivity slowdowns and technological disruption. The Nobel committee highlighted how the trio’s insights offer tools to navigate these challenges by fostering innovation ecosystems and adaptive economic policies.
Academic And Policy Relevance
Mokyr’s historical lens and Aghion-Howitt’s dynamic models have become foundational in both academic research and government strategy. Their work supports the idea that innovation is not just a byproduct of growth but a central engine driving it.
Sources: NobelPrize.org, Economic Times, MSN News, USA Today