About Us

Welcome to the Department of Economics at HKUST

Message from the Department Head

The Department strives to excel in both its research and teaching missions. In 2025, the Department has ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong, No. 4 in Asia, and No. 27 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject—Economics & Econometrics. In the 2020 Research Assessment Exercise category of "economic and finance," 78 percent of our research activity was categorized as world-leading or internationally excellent, more than any other universities in Hong Kong.

Faculty research also addresses pressing, policy-relevant issues such as artificial intelligence and human interaction, global supply chains, innovation, productivity and growth, optimal macroeconomic policy, the digital economy, the evolving nature of work, and poverty and inequality. Senior faculty members have also served on national and regional government commissions focused on the minimum wage, housing, and poverty, further demonstrating the Department’s impact on public policy.

The Department’s Center for Economic Development was established in 1995 to support research on the process of economic development, with emphasis on economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in Greater China. The Department funds the Center for Economic Policy, which aims to improve the effectiveness of economic policies and programs by providing high quality research insights. The CEP runs three thematic programs: Antitrust and Competition Policy, Development Economics Action Research (DEAR), and Globalization and Growth (G&G).

The Department’s research excellence contributes to the high quality learning experience for its students. The Department currently offers three undergraduate degree programs: the B.B.A. in Economics, the B.Sc. in Economics and Finance, and the B.Sc. in Mathematics and Economics (with the Department of Mathematics). It also has a Ph.D. Program and a one-year M.Sc. Program in Economics. In addition, the Department’s faculty teach in the Business School's M.B.A. and executive education programs. The Department strives to help prepare students for future careers by building strong analytical skills (both theoretical and empirical) to enable them to understand complex problems. The Department’s accomplished alumni provide a valuable resource for providing advice and internship and employment opportunities for students.