In Memoriam: Professor Oded Stark
With deep sorrow, we have received the news of the passing of Professor Oded Stark, an eminent economist closely associated for many years with the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Warsaw. Professor Stark passed away on 8 August 2026.
Professor Oded Stark was one of the world’s leading scholars in the economics of migration, population economics, and development economics. His academic contributions also encompassed microeconomic theory, labour economics, welfare economics, and evolutionary economics. He was a co‑founder of the research approach known as the New Economics of Labor Migration, which significantly reshaped how economists analyse migration decisions, highlighting, among other factors, the role of family, risk, and income transfers in the migration process.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Stark was affiliated with numerous renowned universities and research centres, including Harvard University, the University of Oslo, the University of Vienna, Georgetown University, the University of Tuebingen, the University of Klagenfurt, and the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn. At the University of Warsaw, he served as Professor at the Faculty of Economic Sciences and was a member of the Department of Population Economics and Demography since 2005.
His special bond with the University of Warsaw was recognised in 2013 with the conferral of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa of the University. Professor Stark also held the title of Professor of Economic Sciences awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland and was a laureate of the Award of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for lifetime academic achievements.
For many years, Professor Stark actively contributed to the academic life of our Faculty. He taught courses for students and doctoral candidates, collaborated with young researchers, and supported their scholarly development. Of particular importance was the Prize of Professor Oded Stark for outstanding publication achievements, established by him and awarded since 2007 to doctoral candidates and young doctors of the Faculty of Economic Sciences. For many young economists, working with Professor Stark was a crucial step in entering the international academic community.
The passing of Professor Oded Stark is a profound loss for the community of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, the University of Warsaw, and the international economics community.
We extend our deepest condolences to Professor Stark’s Family and Loved Ones.
Dean, Faculty Council, and the academic community
Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw
