Top 10 Most Recommended Journals in Business and Economics: Academic Excellence & Trusted Editorial Boards (JCR 2024)

In the world of business and economics, journals serve as pillars that advance knowledge, inform policy, and support critical debates. Below is an updated review of the top 10 journals in the field, including expert briefs on each journal’s mission, scope, and academic value. All numerical data is sourced from the 2025 release of Journal Citation Reports (JCR 2024).

1. Energy Economics

A leading outlet for economic research on energy markets, consumption patterns, and climate policy. It publishes empirical and theoretical papers related to energy demand, pricing, regulation, and geopolitical energy issues.

Publisher: Elsevier (Netherlands)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 14.2 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 13.2

JCI: 2.55 | OA Gold: 5.3%

ISSN: 0140-9883 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/17390

2. Quarterly Journal of Economics (QJE)

The oldest professional journal of economics in the English language, QJE emphasizes the application of economic theory to real-world phenomena, including behavioral economics, labor markets, and public finance.

Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 12.7 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 20.9

JCI: | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0033-5533 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/11603

3. Journal of Financial Economics

A premier journal in the field of finance, it covers corporate governance, financial markets, risk management, and valuation. It is especially known for its rigorous quantitative finance research.

Publisher: Elsevier (Netherlands)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 10.5 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 11.6

JCI: 3.30 | OA Gold: 1.2%

ISSN: 0304-405X | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/19572

4. Journal of Economic Literature

Rather than publishing original research, this journal synthesizes and evaluates developments across economics fields, providing authoritative literature reviews. It is essential for scholars and policymakers.

Publisher: American Economic Association (USA)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 9.6 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 11.6

JCI: 3.81 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0022-0515 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/15117

5. Journal of Political Economy

Among the most influential economics journals globally, JPE blends rigorous theory with empirical research, often in areas such as macroeconomics, labor, education, and development economics.

Publisher: University of Chicago Press (USA)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 9.0 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 11.5

JCI: 3.26 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0022-3808 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/7162

6. Journal of Economic Perspectives

Aimed at making economic research more accessible, this journal publishes semi-technical essays that summarize trends, controversies, and future directions. It bridges expert work and public understanding.

Publisher: American Economic Association (USA)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 8.1 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 9.5

JCI: 3.23 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0895-3309 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/4849

7. Review of Economic Studies

Recognized for its depth in economic theory, RES focuses on analytical and quantitative work in microeconomics, game theory, econometrics, and macroeconomics. It is favored by academic economists.

Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 7.4 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 9.7

JCI: 2.79 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0034-6527 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/11544

8. Journal of Finance

Official journal of the American Finance Association, it publishes cutting-edge work in financial economics, asset pricing, market design, and corporate behavior.

Publisher: Wiley (USA)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 6.7 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 10.0

JCI: 2.87 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 0022-1082 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/11796

9. AEJ: Applied Economics

Publishes research that applies economics to areas such as education, health, labor, and development. It emphasizes causal inference and empirical methods to evaluate policies and interventions.

Publisher: American Economic Association (USA)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 6.3 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 7.2

JCI: 2.16 | OA Gold: 0%

ISSN: 1945-7782 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/418

10. Review of Financial Studies

Known for its analytical sophistication and influential research in finance, including banking, insurance, and financial regulation. It’s a key journal in both academia and industry.

Publisher: Oxford University Press (UK)

Impact Factor (JCR 2024): 6.1 | 5-Year IF (JCR 2024): 8.1

JCI: 2.36 | OA Gold: 0.1%

ISSN: 0893-9454 | Quartile: Q1

Link: https://wos-journal.info/journalid/510

Summary: Key Metrics (JCR 2024)

#Journal NameIF5-Year IFPublisherCountry
1Energy Economics14.213.2ElsevierNetherlands
2Quarterly Journal of Economics (QJE)12.720.9Oxford University PressUK
3Journal of Financial Economics10.511.6ElsevierNetherlands
4Journal of Economic Literature9.611.6American Economic AssociationUSA
5Journal of Political Economy9.011.5University of Chicago PressUSA
6Journal of Economic Perspectives8.19.5American Economic AssociationUSA
7Review of Economic Studies7.49.7Oxford University PressUK
8Journal of Finance6.710.0WileyUSA
9AEJ: Applied Economics6.37.2American Economic AssociationUSA
10Review of Financial Studies6.18.1Oxford University PressUK

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