Tony Thirlwall: Renowned British economist dies at 82

The world of economics mourns the loss of Tony Thirlwall, a distinguished British economist and Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Kent.

Thirlwall, who passed away at the age of 82 on November 8, 2023, leaves behind a legacy of profound contributions to the field.

His influence extended across diverse realms, from regional economics to the nuanced analysis of unemployment, inflation, and balance of payments theory.

Notably, Thirlwall’s impact reached far beyond academia, with his bestselling textbook “Economics of Development: Theory and Evidence” (Palgrave Macmillan) standing as a testament to his expertise, now in its ninth edition.

Thirlwall’s notable role as the biographer and literary executor of the renowned Cambridge economist Nicholas Kaldor showcased his dedication to preserving and extending economic thought.

However, perhaps his most significant contribution lies in Thirlwall’s Law, revealing the crucial link between long-run balance of payments equilibrium and a country’s growth of national income.

Thirlwall’s intellectual legacy will undoubtedly endure, inspiring generations of economists to come.