WHO WE ARE
The Global Center for Economic Growth (GCEG) is dedicated to advancing global economic prosperity through collaborative research, innovative policy development, and interactive dialogues. By building a dynamic global network of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, the center promotes scalable solutions that drive sustainable and high-quality economic growth. The Global Center for Economic Growth is home of the Growth Academy. A series of collaborative workshops and seminars aimed at supporting policymakers and researchers to use data-driven approaches to solve of the most pressing economic challenges.
Now Announcing: Growth Academy Asia
Tokyo, Japan | Dec. 15, 2025
The Growth Academy is an intensive program designed to strengthen the interface between research and policy in support of economic growth in middle-income countries. This Growth Academy will convene distinguished researchers and senior policymakers for two days of deep engagement on how to translate knowledge into practical strategies that advance inclusive and sustainable growth.
Growth Academy Summer Academy: Chicago, IL (Jul 21-25, 2025)
Growth Academy ECA:
Bucharest, Romania (May 22-24, 2025)
Growth Academy MENA:
Cairo, Egypt (Apr 30- May 2, 2025)
Growth Academy Summer Academy:
Chicago, IL + Washington D.C.
what we do: the global center for economic growth (gceg)
1. We connect frontier research to real-world reform:
Our programs turn rigorous evidence into strategies that help countries design and implement reforms for sustainable, innovation-led growth.
3. We build evidence-based policy:
Through hands-on policy labs, technical workshops, and custom country programs, we equip governments to diagnose barriers to growth, test policy options, and design reforms grounded in data and evaluation.
2. We gather leading thinkers + practitioners:
Each Academy brings together leading economists, policymakers, and development experts from around the world—faculty from the University of Chicago, senior World Bank economists, and government leaders shaping national reform agendas.
4. We foster peer learning across regions:
We connect policymakers who face similar structural challenges. Through regional academies and cross-country dialogue, participants share lessons and innovations that accelerate progress across diverse economies.
5. We invest in the next generation:
Graduate researchers and early-career economists work alongside faculty and policymakers to conduct data analysis, develop case studies, and evaluate reform outcomes—bridging academic inquiry and real-world impact.
global impact + growth academy by the numbers:
Number of Participants
Number of Countries Represented
Since 2024, the Growth Academy has engaged over 119 policymakers, scholars, and government officials across 37 countries, strengthening local capacity for evidence-based reform.
Between 2024 and 2025, the Growth Academy has hosted 4 programs—the flagship Summer Academies in Chicago and regional Academies in Europe and the Middle East—featuring more than 52 distinguished speakers from the University of Chicago, the World Bank, and partner institutions worldwide, including several Nobel laureates in economics.
Speakers + Presenters
Number of Growth Academies 2024-2025
Participating countries include: Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United States.
