About the Event

Behavioral economics is a rapidly growing field of microeconomics. While applications of behavioral economics have become increasingly visible in Europe and the United States, these ideas and interventions are only now gaining traction in Asia. In the face of unprecedented rapid demographic, epidemiological and social change in the region, its aging populations face a tide of new choices about savings, health and long-term wellbeing. The time is therefore ripe to advance the conversation about the place for behavioral economics in addressing emerging policy challenges.

With this in mind, the University of Southern California’s Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR), in partnership with the National University of Singapore and the Civil Service College of Singapore, hosted a high-level conference in Singapore addressing behavioral economics in finance, health and lifestyle with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region. This landmark conference brought together some of the world’s foremost thinkers in behavioral economics as well as leading policymakers, private firms in the health and finance fields, and non-profits.

Our aim is to build high-impact engagement between the research, private sector and government at the highest level. The technical sessions focused on the latest innovations in behavioral economics relevant to savings, debt management, retirement preparedness, healthcare financing, infectious disease control, chronic disease management and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among other topics. Particular attention was paid to international lessons for the Asia Pacific region. The conference provided opportunities for networking and socializing with colleagues active in these fields.

This event was organized in partnership with the National University of Singapore and the Civil Service College, Singapore.  Though we do not have an event planned for 2016, our goal is to create another forum in 2017.