Studies in economics have been conducted at Lund University, with short breaks, since 1668. There is a strong research tradition at the Department of Economics and the department has been the basis for well-known researchers such as Knut Wicksell and Johan Åkerman, who became the founder of the Department of Economics in 1947 .

Education is currently conducted at all levels within the subject, from basic courses to postgraduate education. The research at the department is diverse and extensive and is in several cases linked to specializations in undergraduate education, which also enables a wide range of courses.

The department has hosted many prominent international conferences thanks to support from, for example, the Arne Ryde Foundation, which is affiliated with the department.

Research is currently conducted in econometrics, financial economics, international economics and development economics, microeconomics, macroeconomics and public economics, including labor market economics and health economics.