Kydland grew up the eldest of six siblings at the family farm in Søyland, Gjesdal, which is located in the Jæren farming region in Rogaland county, southwestern Norway. He recalls having had a liberal upbringing, his parents not imposing many limitations on their children. Finn Kydland only got interested in maths and economics as a young adult, after he did some bookkeeping at a friend's mink farm.
With a freshly awaken interest in theoretical economics, Kydland earned a B.S. from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) in 1968 and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon in 1973 (he has been living in the US since his graduate studies). Aside from work, he nurtures a deep interest in blues music, and also in keeping fit; he has run the marathon four times, and enjoys playing and watching soccer. He frequently rides his Ducati motorcycle.
FinnKydland, born in 1943, Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian economist noted for his contributions to the field of macroeconomics.
Kydland was particularly noted for his work with American economist Edward C. Prescott regarding factors that drive the business cycle and how changes in short-term economic policies can negatively impact long-term goals.
Prescott and Kydland countered that the business cycle is due to changes, or âshocks,â that affect supply, such as a sharp decrease in the oil supply, leading to recession, or a technological innovation that boosts productivity, leading to growth.