My research lies at the intersection of housing economics, wealth and inequality, and economic measurement. Across these areas, I am motivated by a common question:
How can we measure economic reality in a way that reflects what truly matters for people’s lives and for policy decisions?
Many of the concepts that shape public debate—housing affordability, wealth inequality, living standards, and economic wellbeing—are difficult to measure. The indicators we choose influence how we understand economic challenges and which policies we pursue. My work therefore combines substantive economic questions with methodological research on how economic phenomena should be measured and interpreted.
The research map below illustrates how my different research streams connect.
Housing Markets
Housing is one of the largest expenditures for most households and one of the most important determinants of wealth accumulation and economic opportunity.
My research examines:
- Housing affordability and housing costs
- Rental markets and rent regulation
- House prices and housing demand
- Housing and monetary policy
- Housing market dynamics across regions and countries
A central focus is understanding how housing markets affect households differently and how policy interventions influence affordability, mobility, and welfare.
Wealth and Inequality
Economic inequality is often discussed in terms of income, yet wealth plays an equally important role in shaping opportunities, economic security, and living standards.
My work investigates:
- Wealth distribution and wealth accumulation
- Housing wealth and homeownership
- Intergenerational inequalities
- The relationship between housing markets and inequality
- Distributional consequences of economic and housing policies
This research contributes to a better understanding of how wealth is created, measured, and distributed within society.
Measurement and Economic Statistics
A recurring theme throughout my research is the challenge of measuring economic outcomes accurately.
Many widely used indicators fail to capture important aspects of people’s lived experiences. Whether studying housing affordability, wealth, inflation, or wellbeing, I am interested in developing measures that better reflect economic reality.
Key questions include:
- What should we measure?
- How should we measure it?
- Which dimensions of economic wellbeing are overlooked by conventional indicators?
- How do measurement choices influence policy conclusions?
By improving measurement, we can improve both economic analysis and policy design.
Real Estate Economics and Applied Economic Research
My work combines rigorous empirical methods with policy-relevant questions.
I use household surveys, administrative data, housing market data, and econometric methods to study:
- Real estate markets
- Household behaviour
- Distributional outcomes
- Policy evaluation
- Economic wellbeing
The goal is not only to understand economic mechanisms but also to generate evidence that can inform public debate and policymaking.
Bringing These Themes Together
Although housing markets, inequality, and measurement are often studied separately, they are deeply connected.
Housing is both a consumption good and a major source of wealth. Wealth influences economic opportunity and resilience. Understanding both requires careful measurement. Throughout my work, I seek to connect these themes and develop evidence that helps policymakers, researchers, and the public better understand economic wellbeing and the forces that shape it.
Ultimately, my research aims to improve our understanding of how economic outcomes are measured, experienced, and distributed—and how better measurement can lead to better policy.
Sofie R Waltl 