Kaivan Munshi

Kaivan Munshi is the Frederick W. Beinecke Professor of Economics at Yale University and a Faculty Affiliate of the Economic Growth Center. Previously, he held the Frank Ramsey Professorship at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on social institutions and their impact on economic development, particularly in India, where he examines caste-based networks and their role in labor, credit, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Munshi's work integrates historical analysis with contemporary issues, exploring how social norms and community structures influence economic outcomes, migration patterns, and gender dynamics in developing economies.

His research program includes studying the historical origins of private enterprise in India and China, as well as the interplay between ethnic groups and public goods provision. Recent work intersects economics with evolutionary biology to explain nutritional and health patterns in developing countries. The 2016 Infosys Prize in Social Sciences recognizes his contributions to understanding development through the lens of social networks and institutions.

Munshi’s scholarly output spans migration, caste systems, and labor markets, with a focus on how community networks shape economic trajectories. His research highlights the dual role of such networks in enabling and restricting mobility, offering critical insights for policy design in development contexts.