10 must-read economics stories of the week

A list of the week’s most interesting stories on economic growth and social inclusion.

1. Facts and figures. These four charts give a snapshot of views on economic growth and social inclusion in the EU. (PEW Research Center)

2. The World Bank published its global economic outlook. Here is an overview in six charts. (Real Time Economics, WSJ)

3. Many forms of domestic labour are unpaid and ignored in our national accounting. Yet they are an important enabler and driver of economic growth. (New America Foundation)

4. On Sunday the Swiss voted down a universal basic income (UBI) programme. This article suggests that a UBI would have uncertain upsides and certain downside risks. (The Economist)

5. A start-up accelerator in Silicon Valley is launching a UBI pilot programme. (BloombergView)

6. For technology to spur leaps in productivity and economic progress it must spread throughout the whole economy instead of remaining clustered in a few sectors. (Project Syndicate)

7. Islamic finance could contribute to development and inclusive growth – since it requires, for example, that investments are linked to the real economy. (World Economic Forum)

8. In 2014 the number of self-made billionaires around the world overtook individuals who inherited their billions (largely due to growth in emerging markets). A new study shows that significant rents in the US financial sector made it easier for the already wealthy to increase their wealth – more so than in Europe and other regions. (Pro Market)

9. What did Adam Smith, the founding father of economics, think about inequality? (The Atlantic)

10. A world with cheap oil is forcing oil exporters to adapt by cutting spending and tapping new revenue sources. (iMFdirect)