R.I. ranks 26th on economic opportunity index

RHODE ISLAND ranked 26th on a new index ranking economic opportunity published by The States Project and developed by Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. / COURTESY THE STATES PROJECT
RHODE ISLAND ranked 26th on a new index ranking economic opportunity published by The States Project and developed by Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. / COURTESY THE STATES PROJECT

BOSTON – Rhode Island is decidedly average for economic opportunity, according to a new index developed at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania and published by The States Project.

On the Economic Opportunity Index, which analyzed unemployment, household income and income mobility, Rhode Island ranked 26th. Neighboring Massachusetts ranked first on the index.
“The states that invest in their citizens end up having better economies, which would go counter to the idea that we should strip down the size of government,” said Meredith Bagby, an author and founder of the group that published the index. “The flip side is that governments have to be well-managed.”
“States provide a really interesting way to look, to test out those philosophies” that were a focal point of this year’s political debate, Bagby said. “What’s better, big government or small government? What’s better for the economy?”
To view more from The States Project, visit: www.thestatesproject.org.
This report was created with assistance from Bloomberg News.

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