Meghan Ostertag
Research Assistant
Meghan Ostertag is a research assistant for economic policy at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from American University.
Recent Publications
The State Hamilton Index: Most States Underperform in Advanced Industries
Innovation-driven production is key to reclaiming U.S. dominance on the international stage. Yet, all but a few U.S. state economies are less concentrated in advanced industries than the world average—and only one is ahead of China.
Fact of the Week: The United States Faces a $3.7 Trillion Gap in Infrastructure Investment Spending
The United States is falling $3.7 trillion short of the $9.1 trillion required to bring infrastructure to a good level of repair nationally.
Japan Just Printed a Train Station. Here’s Why It Matters.
Japan is facing a demographic crisis, with a population aging faster than any other in the world. 3D printing offers a solution, enabling Japan to modernize its aging infrastructure and build new developments despite its shrinking labor force.
Fact of the Week: Large Canadian Firms Pay Between 11 and 20 Percent Higher Wages Than Small Firms
A new fixed effects model finds that larger firms pay between 11 and 20 percent higher wages than small firms.
Fact of the Week: World Merchandise Trade Is Projected To Fall by 0.2 Percent in 2025
In the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics Report for 2025,” the WTO predicts that global merchandise trade will decline by 0.2 percentage points.
Fact of the Week: Americans Continue To Earn Higher Household Incomes Than Previous Generations
A study by the Federal Reserve Board shows that despite significantly increased costs for higher education and housing, average household income for Millennials grew 18 percent compared to Generation X.
AI Can Improve US Small Business Productivity
If the U.S. wants to unlock the full potential of its small business sector, widespread AI adoption must become a policy priority. With targeted support, AI can become a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and strengthening U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.
Fact of the Week: A 10 Percent Increase in the Effective U.S. Tariff Rate Could Lead to an Inflation Increase of up to 1.2 Percent
Experts suggest that increasing the U.S. effective tariff rate by 10 percentage points will increase inflation by up to 1.2 percent.
Fact of the Week: High Government Debt Leads to Significant Declines in Economic Growth for R&D Intensive Industries
A report by the IMF indicates that rising government debt in advanced economies results in a decline in economic growth, particularly affecting industries that depend heavily on research and development (R&D), such as high-tech industries.
Fact of the Week: Analysts Have Downgraded Global GDP Growth Projections for 2025 to 3.1 Percent
The OECD now expects global GDP to grow by 3.1 percent this year, reduced from the previous projection of 3.3 percent in light of heightened trade barriers and political uncertainty.
Advanced Technology Products Rely on Strong Trade Partnerships
America’s innovation economy depends on strong trade alliances—not trade wars—to sustain growth and secure leadership in advanced technology exports.
Fact of the Week: The Expansion of Submarine Cables Results in a 14 to 21 Percent Drop in Internet Prices
A recent report found that doubling the international Internet bandwidth for a country by installing submarine cables will decrease the cost of fixed and mobile broadband by as much as 14 and 21 percent, respectively.
