Business and technologyיוסף זעירא

Joseph Zeira

Joseph Zeira is an Israeli economist and professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, known for his work on macroeconomics, economic growth and the economy of Israel.

born 1950The Galor-Zeira modelResearch on economic growthResearch on the Israeli economyEconomic team of 2011 protests

Born: 13 October 1950
Occupation: economist, university teacher
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Joseph Zeira was born in 1950

Joseph Zeira was born in Jerusalem in 1950. He grew up in Rehovot and Givatayim.

He earned a first degree in mathematics and physics in 1971 and a master's degree in mathematics in 1976, both at the Hebrew University. He then turned to economics and completed a doctorate there. He did postdoctoral work at Harvard University and MIT.

He served in the Artillery Corps and reached the rank of major.

In 1985 he became a lecturer at the Hebrew University, and in 2007 he became a full professor. From 2008 he also taught economics at LUISS in Rome. With Oded Galor he wrote a 1993 paper showing that inequality can harm economic growth, and he also studied learning, stock market bubbles and machines that replace workers.

He advised the Ministry of Finance in 1995 and 1996 and led an economic team of the 2011 social protests. He served on a government committee on poverty in 2014. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Anat, a professor of social work.

Joseph Zeira's life in 10 milestones

1950
Born in Jerusalem.
1971
Completed a first degree at the Hebrew University.
1976
Completed a master's degree in mathematics.
1978
Was among the initiators of a collective refusal letter protesting Israeli activity in the territories.
1985
Became a lecturer at the Hebrew University.
1993
Published a paper on inequality and growth with Oded Galor.
2007
Became a full professor.
2011
Led an economic team of the Israeli social protests.
2014
Served on a government committee on poverty.
2016
Won the Rector's Prize for teaching.