Dr. Sergei Sumkin | Reichman University

Dr. Sergey Somkin is a senior researcher at the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy, Reichman University. He specializes in applied econometrics, labor economics, and macroeconomics. His research focuses on developing and applying advanced quantitative tools to analyze key issues in the Israeli economy, including labor market trends, productivity and employment, the impact of government policies on economic growth, and the measurement of inequality.
Dr. Somkin has extensive professional experience as a senior economist in governmental and economic institutions. In his previous roles, he contributed to the formulation of policy papers, the evaluation of economic reforms, and the production of detailed quantitative analyses for top-level decision makers. These roles required him to combine a broad macroeconomic perspective with rigorous empirical methods, delivering insights and recommendations that could be implemented both in the short and long term.
His academic and policy research interests are closely tied to the evolution of Israel’s labor market. He investigates the integration of diverse population groups, employment trends among youth and adults, the effects of technological innovation on labor market structures, and the role of fiscal and monetary policy in shaping employment and growth. In addition, he explores the links between labor productivity, investment in human capital, and long-term economic development.
Dr. Somkin earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he developed expertise in applying advanced econometric methods to the study of complex macroeconomic issues. Over the course of his career, he has authored and contributed to studies that have influenced both academic debates and governmental policymaking.
At the Aaron Institute, he is committed to combining academic excellence with practical policy relevance. His mission is to deepen the understanding of Israel’s economic processes and to contribute to policies that encourage employment, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable economic growth.
In addition to his primary fields of expertise, Dr. Somkin has recently conducted extensive research on Israel’s high-tech sector, the country’s main growth engine. His work explores the relationship between productivity in the high-tech industry and the broader economy, asking how the sector’s success can be leveraged to benefit the wider Israeli labor market. He examines the geographic concentration of high-tech in major metropolitan areas, its impact on wage disparities across different social groups, and the challenges of integrating underrepresented populations into the knowledge-intensive economy.
Another key area of Dr. Somkin’s research focuses on local government and municipalities in Israel. His studies analyze the financial and administrative challenges facing local authorities, particularly those in socio-economic and geographic peripheries. He investigates patterns of revenues and expenditures, local taxation mechanisms, and the links between municipal economic resilience and the ability to deliver quality services to residents. His findings underscore the central role of strengthening local government as a crucial lever for reducing inequality and fostering sustainable development at the community level.