Economics Thesis Topics: 300+ Top Examples

Economics is built around questions that affect real choices: why prices rise, how workers respond to incentives, what drives inequality, and how policy changes shape markets. A good economics thesis idea turns one of these broad issues into a focused question you can study with theory, data, and clear analysis.

In this guide, you will find master thesis topics in economics organized by specialization and research method to help you choose a focused direction for your academic project.

Characteristics of the Best Economics Thesis Topics

Before choosing an economics thesis topic from the lists below, make sure it is realistic to complete. Even a strong idea can fail if it is too broad, outdated, or impossible to support with data.

A good economics thesis idea should meet these three criteria:

• Feasibility.

  The project should match your timeline, research skills, and available tools.

• Relevance.

  The topic should connect to a current economic debate, policy issue, or research gap.

• Data availability.

  You should be able to access the numbers, reports, or datasets needed to support your analysis.

Top Economics Thesis Topics List

If you want to explore current economic debates and major policy issues, start with the PhD thesis topics in economics below. These ideas cover some of the most discussed areas in modern economics research.

1. The economic impact of artificial intelligence on white-collar employment rates.
2. Drivers of post-pandemic inflation in developed economies.
3. The feasibility and macroeconomic effects of Universal Basic Income (UBI).
4. How cryptocurrency regulations influence traditional banking stability.
5. The long-term effects of remote work on commercial real estate valuation.
6. Evaluating the efficacy of carbon pricing models in reducing corporate emissions.
7. Wage dynamics and job security within the modern gig economy.
8. Identifying early indicators of housing market bubbles in metropolitan areas.
9. The macroeconomic consequences of widespread student debt cancellation.
10. Supply chain resilience and reshoring trends in the post-2020 global economy.
11. Demographic aging and the financial sustainability of national pension systems.
12. The impact of bilateral trade wars on domestic consumer prices.
13. Trends in wealth inequality and the effectiveness of progressive wealth taxes.
14. Minimum wage hikes and their effect on automation in the service sector.
15. The economic consequences of healthcare privatization in single-payer systems.
16. Cost-benefit analyses of the transition to renewable energy grids.
17. The displacement of brick-and-mortar retail by e-commerce monopolies.
18. The systemic risks and benefits of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
19. Using behavioral nudges to increase municipal tax compliance.
20. The short-term impact of sudden immigration surges on local labor markets.

Economics Thesis Topics by Specialization

Economics is a broad field with many specialized areas of study. Exploring economics thesis topics for undergraduates by subfield can help you choose a research direction that matches your academic interests and career goals.

Macroeconomics Thesis Ideas

1. The effectiveness of quantitative tightening in controlling runaway inflation.
2. Stagflation risks in economies heavily dependent on imported energy.
3. Early warning indicators for sovereign debt crises in emerging markets.
4. The predictive power of yield curve inversions for modern recessions.
5. Calculating fiscal multipliers during periods of high national debt.
6. The impact of exchange rate volatility on foreign direct investment.
7. Challenges in measuring the output gap in digital-heavy economies.
8. Hysteresis effects on long-term unemployment following financial crashes.
9. The relationship between income distribution and long-term GDP growth.
10. Macroeconomic recovery speeds: V-shaped vs. K-shaped trajectories.
11. The role of international remittances in stabilizing macroeconomic shocks.
12. Drivers of foreign direct investment in post-conflict nations.
13. The structural challenges of maintaining currency unions without fiscal integration.
14. Systemic risks posed by the unregulated shadow banking sector.
15. How shifting demographic profiles alter national savings rates.

Microeconomics Thesis Titles

1. Price elasticity of demand for dominant digital streaming services.
2. Shifts in consumer choice behavior during periods of hyperinflation.
3. The profitability of subscription models versus one-time purchasing.
4. Consumer welfare impacts of dynamic surge pricing in ride-sharing apps.
5. Asymmetric information and adverse selection in online used car markets.
6. Monopolistic competition and product differentiation in the fast-food industry.
7. The economic value of brand loyalty and consumer switching costs.
8. Algorithmic price discrimination in the commercial airline industry.
9. Network effects and barriers to entry in social media monopolies.
10. The long-term effects of rent control on urban housing quality.
11. Consumer willingness to pay for certified organic food products.
12. Rational addiction theory applied to the modern vaping industry.
13. Risk assessment behaviors in peer-to-peer lending platforms.
14. Veblen effects and pricing strategies in luxury fashion markets.
15. Measuring consumer surplus in freemium mobile gaming models.

Behavioral Economics Thesis Topics

1. The effectiveness of opt-out nudges in increasing organ donation rates.
2. Cognitive biases in retail investor decision-making during stock market bubbles.
3. Applying prospect theory to consumer insurance purchasing habits.
4. Herd behavior and contagion in cryptocurrency trading.
5. The impact of choice overload on retirement fund selection.
6. Mental accounting and its effect on credit card debt repayment.
7. Loss aversion in real estate pricing during market downturns.
8. The role of the endowment effect in second-hand market pricing.
9. Present bias and its contribution to the obesity epidemic.
10. Anchoring effects in digital retail pricing and discounts.
11. The impact of social proof on charitable giving amounts.
12. Overconfidence bias among startup founders and venture capitalists.
13. Framing effects in public health messaging and vaccine uptake.
14. Time inconsistency in gym membership usage and pricing.
15. The psychology of sunk costs in large-scale public infrastructure projects.

International Trade and Economics Thesis Topics

1. The welfare effects of retaliatory tariffs on agricultural exports.
2. How non-tariff barriers impact pharmaceutical trade between developed nations.
3. The effect of the African Continental Free Trade Area on regional GDP.
4. Exchange rate pass-through to domestic consumer prices.
5. The impact of Brexit on financial service exports from the UK.
6. Comparative advantage shifts due to climate change in agricultural trade.
7. The role of intellectual property rights in international technology transfers.
8. Trade diversion vs. trade creation in modern bilateral agreements.
9. The effect of global shipping bottlenecks on import-reliant economies.
10. Labor market polarization resulting from manufacturing offshoring.
11. The economic impact of export subsidies on domestic resource allocation.
12. How foreign exchange interventions affect export competitiveness.
13. The relationship between international trade openness and income inequality.
14. Trade implications of the transition to electric vehicle manufacturing.
15. The impact of strict environmental regulations on pollution haven hypotheses.

Development Economics Thesis Topics

1. The role of microfinance institutions in breaking rural poverty traps.
2. Evaluating the long-term effectiveness of conditional cash transfers.
3. The impact of institutional quality on the success of foreign aid.
4. Mobile banking adoption and financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa.
5. The relationship between female education and child mortality rates.
6. Resource curse dynamics in newly oil-rich developing nations.
7. The economic consequences of brain drain on healthcare systems in the Global South.
8. Informal sector employment and tax revenue challenges in developing economies.
9. The impact of land tenure security on agricultural productivity.
10. Rural-to-urban migration patterns and the formation of megacity slums.
11. The effectiveness of special economic zones in attracting manufacturing.
12. Child labor eradication policies and their short-term household income effects.
13. The role of NGOs in providing public goods where state capacity is weak.
14. Infrastructure investment and its impact on regional market integration.
15. The effect of electrification on micro-enterprise growth in rural villages.

Labor Thesis Topics in Economics

1. The impact of right-to-work laws on union bargaining power.
2. Wage penalties associated with career interruptions for maternal leave.
3. The return on investment for vocational training vs. traditional college degrees.
4. Monopsony power in local labor markets and its effect on wage suppression.
5. The impact of algorithmic management on gig worker hourly earnings.
6. Youth unemployment scarring effects during economic recessions.
7. The integration of neurodivergent individuals into the tech labor force.
8. How occupational licensing requirements restrict labor mobility.
9. The effect of paid sick leave mandates on small business hiring.
10. Labor market outcomes for formerly incarcerated individuals.
11. The relationship between workplace automation and income polarization.
12. Immigrant labor substitution vs. complementarity in the agriculture sector.
13. The impact of flexible working hours on employee productivity and retention.
14. Wage differentials between public and private sector healthcare workers.
15. The effect of age discrimination laws on older workers' labor force participation.

Financial Economics Thesis Topics

1. The impact of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) ratings on stock performance.
2. Corporate governance structures and their effect on executive compensation.
3. The role of credit rating agencies in amplifying financial market crises.
4. Pricing anomalies in the options and derivatives markets.
5. The effect of algorithmic high-frequency trading on market liquidity.
6. Venture capital funding disparities across different geographic regions.
7. The relationship between board diversity and corporate financial risk-taking.
8. Dividend policy changes and signaling effects during economic downturns.
9. The impact of Basel III regulations on commercial bank lending behavior.
10. Initial Public Offering (IPO) underpricing in the technology sector.
11. The performance of active vs. passive mutual funds over a 20-year horizon.
12. Contagion effects between traditional equities and digital asset markets.
13. The role of sovereign wealth funds in stabilizing domestic economies.
14. Corporate debt restructuring mechanisms during industry-wide recessions.
15. The efficiency of corporate bond markets in pricing climate risk.

Fiscal and Monetary Policy Thesis Topics for Economics

1. The effectiveness of negative interest rate policies in stimulating lending.
2. Wealth tax implementation challenges and capital flight risks.
3. The inflationary consequences of modern monetary theory (MMT) applications.
4. How central bank communication strategies affect bond market yields.
5. The redistributive effects of flat tax vs. progressive tax systems.
6. Corporate tax avoidance strategies and their impact on national revenues.
7. The effectiveness of temporary sales tax holidays on consumer spending.
8. Monetary policy transmission mechanisms in heavily dollarized economies.
9. The impact of government deficit spending on the private sector crowding out.
10. Evaluating the success of inflation targeting regimes over the last two decades.
11. The role of automatic stabilizers during sudden economic shocks.
12. How local property tax reliance affects public school funding equity.
13. The economic impact of sin taxes on sugary beverages and fast food.
14. Central bank independence and its correlation with long-term price stability.
15. The effectiveness of payroll tax cuts in stimulating employment growth.

Environmental Economics Thesis Topics

1. The economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by national parks.
2. Cap-and-trade systems vs. direct carbon taxation: A comparative analysis.
3. The impact of extreme weather events on local agricultural insurance premiums.
4. Economic incentives for adopting circular economy practices in manufacturing.
5. The cost-effectiveness of residential solar panel subsidies.
6. Externalities of plastic pollution and the economics of recycling mandates.
7. The impact of water scarcity on industrial output in arid regions.
8. Economic trade-offs of deforestation for agricultural expansion in the Amazon.
9. The role of green bonds in financing sustainable infrastructure projects.
10. Willingness to pay for improved air quality in heavily polluted urban centers.
11. The economic impact of biodiversity loss on the global pharmaceutical industry.
12. Subsidies in the fossil fuel industry and their effect on market distortions.
13. The effectiveness of eco-labeling on consumer purchasing behavior.
14. Economic models for managing common-pool resources in global fisheries.
15. The financial risks of stranded assets in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Health Economics Thesis Topics

1. The impact of high-deductible health plans on preventive care utilization.
2. Economic burdens of the opioid epidemic on local municipal budgets.
3. The effect of generic drug entry on pharmaceutical pricing strategies.
4. Cost-benefit analysis of telemedicine adoption in rural healthcare systems.
5. The relationship between macroeconomic downturns and mental health expenditures.
6. Moral hazard in employer-sponsored health insurance markets.
7. The economic impact of nurse staffing ratios on hospital profitability.
8. Pricing disparities for life-saving medical devices across different countries.
9. The effect of sugar taxes on long-term obesity-related healthcare costs.
10. Economic evaluations of mandatory vaccination policies for public school entry.
11. The financial sustainability of long-term care insurance for aging populations.
12. Out-of-pocket healthcare costs and their contribution to personal bankruptcies.
13. The impact of patent life extensions on pharmaceutical innovation.
14. Economic incentives for improving maternal health outcomes in developing nations.
15. The cost-effectiveness of early intervention programs for childhood autism.

Industrial Organization Topics for Economics Thesis

1. Antitrust enforcement challenges in digital platform ecosystems.
2. The impact of vertical integration on pricing in the entertainment industry.
3. Market concentration and its effect on innovation in the telecommunications sector.
4. The economics of planned obsolescence in consumer electronics.
5. Predatory pricing strategies and entry barriers in the e-commerce sector.
6. The effect of mergers and acquisitions on hospital pricing power.
7. Advertising intensity as a barrier to entry in the cosmetics industry.
8. Franchise contracts and incentive alignments in the fast-food sector.
9. The impact of patent trolls on research and development investments.
10. Collusion and cartel behavior in regional construction markets.
11. The economics of two-sided markets in credit card networks.
12. How regulatory capture affects environmental compliance in the energy sector.
13. The role of standard-setting organizations in technology market competition.
14. First-mover advantages vs. fast-follower strategies in software development.
15. The impact of supply chain consolidation on grocery retail pricing.

Econometrics and Data Analysis Thesis Prompts

1. Using machine learning algorithms to improve macroeconomic forecasting.
2. Causal inference challenges in estimating the returns to education.
3. Time-series analysis of cryptocurrency volatility and macroeconomic indicators.
4. Panel data analysis of the relationship between corruption and foreign direct investment.
5. Instrumental variable approaches to measuring the impact of police presence on crime.
6. The effectiveness of difference-in-differences models in evaluating policy changes.
7. Handling missing data in large-scale household income surveys.
8. Spatial econometrics applied to the spread of housing foreclosures.
9. Propensity score matching to evaluate the success of job training programs.
10. Survival analysis of startup failure rates in the technology sector.
11. Vector autoregression models for analyzing monetary policy shocks.
12. The use of synthetic control methods in comparative case studies.
13. Estimating demand systems using scanner data from retail grocery chains.
14. Non-parametric methods for analyzing income distribution changes.
15. The impact of measurement error in self-reported health survey data.

Urban and Regional Economics Thesis Ideas

1. The economic drivers and displacement effects of urban gentrification.
2. Agglomeration economies and the clustering of tech firms in Silicon Valley.
3. The impact of public transit expansion on local property values.
4. Spatial mismatch and unemployment rates among minority urban populations.
5. The economics of zoning laws and their effect on housing affordability.
6. Regional economic disparities resulting from the decline of manufacturing.
7. The fiscal impact of suburban sprawl on municipal infrastructure budgets.
8. Economic revitalization strategies for post-industrial Rust Belt cities.
9. The effect of professional sports stadiums on local economic development.
10. Housing market dynamics in cities with strict historic preservation laws.
11. The impact of remote work migration on Tier-2 city housing markets.
12. Economic consequences of urban heat islands and mitigation strategies.
13. The role of anchor institutions (universities/hospitals) in regional economies.
14. Traffic congestion pricing and its effect on downtown retail businesses.
15. The economic viability of converting vacant commercial real estate into residential units.

Agricultural Economics Thesis Topics

1. The impact of precision agriculture technology on crop yield profitability.
2. Economic implications of shifting from meat to plant-based protein production.
3. The effectiveness of agricultural subsidies in stabilizing farm incomes.
4. Price transmission asymmetry in the dairy supply chain.
5. The economic viability of vertical farming in dense urban centers.
6. Impact of groundwater depletion on agricultural land values.
7. The role of futures markets in managing farmer price risk.
8. Economic consequences of fertilizer price shocks on global food security.
9. The impact of genetically modified organism (GMO) adoption on pesticide costs.
10. Labor shortages and the economics of automation in fruit harvesting.
11. The effect of export bans on domestic agricultural commodity prices.
12. Economic trade-offs of organic vs. conventional farming practices.
13. The role of agricultural cooperatives in increasing smallholder bargaining power.
14. Impact of changing dietary preferences on global grain demand.
15. The economics of food waste reduction along the supply chain.

Digital Economy and Technology Thesis Title Examples

1. The economic valuation of user data in free-to-use digital platforms.
2. Impact of artificial intelligence on productivity in the legal services sector.
3. The economics of open-source software development and corporate sponsorship.
4. Tokenomics and the incentive structures of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).
5. The effect of broadband internet access on rural economic development.
6. Digital piracy and its impact on revenue in the modern music industry.
7. The economics of cybersecurity investments and data breach costs.
8. Platform envelopment strategies by big tech monopolies.
9. The impact of digital payment systems on the velocity of money.
10. Economic implications of the transition to cloud computing for small businesses.
11. The role of algorithms in creating filter bubbles and market segmentation.
12. Crowdfunding platforms as an alternative to traditional venture capital.
13. The economics of the creator economy and influencer monetization.
14. Impact of GDPR and data privacy laws on digital advertising revenues.
15. The economic potential and regulatory challenges of the metaverse.

Thesis Ideas for Economics of Education

1. The long-term earnings impact of attending an elite vs. a state university.
2. Economic consequences of universal pre-kindergarten programs.
3. The effect of class size reductions on standardized test scores and future wages.
4. Peer effects in the classroom and their impact on academic achievement.
5. The economics of school choice and voucher programs on public school funding.
6. Teacher compensation structures and their effect on educational outcomes.
7. The impact of free school meal programs on student cognitive development.
8. Economic returns to bilingual education in a globalized labor market.
9. The effect of student loan debt on homeownership rates among millennials.
10. Funding disparities between school districts based on local property taxes.
11. The economic viability of income-share agreements as an alternative to student loans.
12. The impact of remote learning during the pandemic on future earning potential.
13. Economic incentives for reducing high school dropout rates.
14. The role of community colleges in local workforce development.
15. Gender disparities in STEM education and their impact on the tech wage gap.

Master Thesis Topics in Economics on Gender

1. The unexplained gender wage gap and the role of negotiation behaviors.
2. Economic consequences of the unequal distribution of unpaid care work.
3. The impact of mandated corporate board gender quotas on firm performance.
4. Motherhood penalties vs. fatherhood premiums in the modern workplace.
5. The effect of subsidized childcare on female labor force participation rates.
6. Gender differences in risk aversion and their impact on investment portfolio returns.
7. The economics of the pink tax on female-targeted consumer products.
8. Impact of microfinance heavily targeting female entrepreneurs in developing nations.
9. The relationship between domestic violence rates and female economic empowerment.
10. Gender biases in venture capital funding allocation.
11. The effect of joint taxation systems on the labor supply of secondary earners.
12. Economic implications of the gender gap in financial literacy.
13. The impact of flexible work arrangements on closing the gender promotion gap.
14. Gender differences in the gig economy: Earnings and hours worked.
15. The economic cost of gender-based occupational segregation.

Political Economy Thesis Topic Ideas

1. The economic impact of corporate lobbying on environmental deregulation.
2. Political business cycles and government spending patterns before elections.
3. The relationship between income inequality and political polarization.
4. Economic consequences of corruption in public procurement contracts.
5. The effect of campaign finance laws on incumbent re-election rates.
6. Institutional economics and the protection of private property rights.
7. The impact of trade sanctions on the political stability of targeted regimes.
8. Economic voting: How local unemployment rates affect national election outcomes.
9. The political economy of fossil fuel subsidies in energy-exporting nations.
10. Rent-seeking behavior in the defense contracting industry.
11. The impact of media ownership concentration on economic policy discourse.
12. Political determinants of foreign aid allocation.
13. The economics of state-owned enterprises in transitioning economies.
14. How gerrymandering affects local economic policy and infrastructure spending.
15. The political economy of sovereign debt restructuring and IMF conditionality.

Economics Thesis Topics for Undergraduates by Research Type

In some cases, your research method is decided before your topic. Since the way you collect and analyze data shapes your entire project, it is important to choose a topic that fits your methodology. The sections below organize thesis topics in economics by research approach.

Quantitative Thesis Ideas for Economics

1. A regression analysis of the relationship between central bank interest rates and housing starts.
2. Quantifying the impact of a 10% tariff increase on steel imports using time-series data.
3. Statistical modeling of the correlation between education expenditure and regional GDP growth.
4. Measuring the elasticity of demand for public transportation using smart-card dataset logs.
5. A quantitative assessment of the Phillips Curve using post-2008 inflation and unemployment data.
6. Estimating the wage penalty of union decline using Current Population Survey data.
7. A panel data analysis of foreign direct investment inflows and corporate tax rates across 20 countries.
8. Quantifying the effect of weather anomalies on regional agricultural output yields.
9. Statistical measurement of the gender pay gap controlling for occupation and tenure.
10. Using vector autoregression to map the transmission of monetary policy shocks to stock market indices.

Qualitative Topics for Economics Thesis

1. An interview-based study of the barriers to credit access for minority-owned small businesses.
2. A historical analysis of the policy narratives surrounding the 1930s Glass-Steagall Act.
3. Qualitative assessment of consumer trust in decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.
4. Analyzing the rhetoric of central bank press releases and their influence on market sentiment.
5. A thematic analysis of gig worker experiences regarding job security and algorithmic management.
6. Examining the institutional barriers to adopting circular economy practices in the fashion industry.
7. A qualitative review of the socio-economic impacts of factory closures in a single-industry town.
8. Understanding the decision-making process of angel investors through structured interviews.
9. A historical review of the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pension plans.
10. Qualitative analysis of the cultural factors influencing female labor force participation in conservative societies.

Comparative PhD Thesis Topics in Economics

1. A comparative analysis of healthcare outcomes in single-payer vs. multi-payer insurance systems.
2. Comparing the economic recovery trajectories of the US and EU following the 2008 financial crisis.
3. A cross-country comparison of the effectiveness of carbon taxes vs. cap-and-trade systems.
4. Comparing the impact of minimum wage laws on youth employment in France and the UK.
5. A comparative study of venture capital ecosystems in Silicon Valley vs. Shenzhen.
6. Comparing the integration of renewable energy into the national grids of Germany and Japan.
7. A cross-sectional comparison of household savings rates in aging vs. young demographic nations.
8. Comparing the efficacy of anti-poverty conditional cash transfer programs in Brazil and Mexico.
9. A comparative analysis of corporate governance models in Anglo-American vs. Rhine capitalism.
10. Comparing the economic impact of strict vs. lenient COVID-19 lockdown policies on retail sectors.

Experimental Economics Thesis Ideas

1. A lab experiment testing the impact of framing on consumer willingness to pay for green products.
2. Using a public goods game to measure the effect of peer punishment on free-riding behavior.
3. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the impact of financial literacy workshops on student savings.
4. An experimental study on how time constraints affect risk-taking in investment simulations.
5. Testing the endowment effect in a controlled digital marketplace environment.
6. A field experiment on the effectiveness of social norm nudges in reducing household energy consumption.
7. Using the ultimatum game to analyze cross-cultural differences in fairness and reciprocity.
8. An experimental analysis of how choice overload affects the quality of decision-making.
9. Testing the impact of anonymous vs. public charitable donations in a controlled setting.
10. A lab experiment investigating the formation of asset bubbles in a simulated trading environment.

Case Study Thesis Topics for Economics

1. The economic collapse and hyperinflation crisis of Venezuela: A macroeconomic case study.
2. A case study of the economic revitalization of Detroit following municipal bankruptcy.
3. Analyzing the success and failure of the Abenomics policy framework in Japan.
4. The impact of the 2018 GDPR implementation on the European digital advertising market.
5. A case study of the GameStop short squeeze and retail investor market mechanics.
6. The economic consequences of the 2011 Fukushima disaster on Japan's energy sector.
7. A case study of the M-Pesa mobile money system's impact on financial inclusion in Kenya.
8. Analyzing the rapid economic growth and structural transformation of South Korea (1960-1990).
9. The failure of the Theranos valuation: A case study in venture capital due diligence.
10. A policy case study of the implementation and repeal of the Australian carbon tax.

How to Narrow an Economics Thesis Topic

One of the most common mistakes in economics research is choosing a topic that is too broad. Economics thesis ideas like "Inflation" or "The Labor Market" are too large to cover effectively in one study. To create a manageable project, you need to narrow your prompt step by step.

Before you begin, review recent literature in your area of interest to see how researchers frame specific economic questions.

1. Identify a broad area of interest.

   Start with a general field you enjoy studying. This gives you a clear starting point for further research.
   Example: Labor Economics.

2. Select a specific variable or demographic.

   Narrow the field by focusing on one policy, factor, or group. Do not look at all workers; look at a specific subset.
   Example: The impact of minimum wage on teenage workers.

3. Define the geographic scope.

   Limit your research to one location. Trying to analyze global data can overwhelm your model and create too many outside variables.
   Example: The fast-food industry in Seattle.

4. Set a timeframe.

   Limit your data collection to a specific period. This keeps your dataset clear, finite, and manageable.
   Example: The post-2015 minimum wage hike period (2015-2020).

5. Formulate the final research question.

   Combine all narrowed elements into one clear question. This question should show what data you need and what method you will use.
   Example: How did the 2015 minimum wage increase affect teenage employment rates in Seattle's fast-food industry between 2015 and 2020?