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 Name | IF | 5-Year IF | Publisher | Country |
1 | Energy Economics | 14.2 | 13.2 | Elsevier | Netherlands |
2 | Quarterly Journal of Economics (QJE) | 12.7 | 20.9 | Oxford University Press | UK |
3 | Journal of Financial Economics | 10.5 | 11.6 | Elsevier | Netherlands |
4 | Journal of Economic Literature | 9.6 | 11.6 | American Economic Association | USA |
5 | Journal of Political Economy | 9.0 | 11.5 | University of Chicago Press | USA |
6 | Journal of Economic Perspectives | 8.1 | 9.5 | American Economic Association | USA |
7 | Review of Economic Studies | 7.4 | 9.7 | Oxford University Press | UK |
8 | Journal of Finance | 6.7 | 10.0 | Wiley | USA |
9 | AEJ: Applied Economics | 6.3 | 7.2 | American Economic Association | USA |
10 | Review of Financial Studies | 6.1 | 8.1 | Oxford University Press | UK |