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We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

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This year we welcome Janet Currie, Professor of Economics at Yale University, for a lecture on youth mental health, one of the defining challenges of our time. Join us and reserve your seat.

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Research

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The ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin Institute for the Economy and the Future of Work (RFBerlin) engages in research designed to raise the standard of public debate and create the best possible basis for policy making.

Discussion papers

No. 262/26 - September 2026

Capital-Skill Complementarity Beyond Firm Boundaries

Gert Bijnens, Anders Humlum, Stijn Vanormelingen

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No. 261/26 - September 2026

Targeted Acceleration in Middle School Math: Impacts on College Entry, Degree Completion, and STEM

David Card, Laura Giuliano

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No. 260/26 - September 2026

The Social Costs of Juvenile Incarceration: Long-Run Effects and Family Spillovers

Ozkan Eren, Randi Hjalmarsson, Orgul Ozturk

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No. 259/26 - September 2026

Why Do People Migrate Irregularly? Evidence from a Lab-in-the-Field Experiment in West Africa

Tijan Bah, Catia Batista

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Research Insights

Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

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No. 38/26 - October 2026

Regime Change and Occupational Mobility: How German Reunification Reshuffled the Labor Market

When the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, East Germany's workforce faced a transformation unlike anything seen in post-war Europe. This insight shows that East German workers experienced far greater occupational mobility than their West German counterparts born in the same years.

Opportunity

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No. 37/26 - September 2026

When Knowledge Crosses Borders – Economic Espionage and Technological Progress

From semiconductors to artificial intelligence, concerns about economic espionage have become a central feature of geopolitical competition. But one fundamental question has remained surprisingly difficult to answer: does stealing technological knowledge actually improve economic performance?

Human Capital Opportunity Technology

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No. 36/26 - September 2026

Can AI-Powered Mental Health Apps Improve Well-Being

Can a mental health app on your phone sustainably improve psychological wellbeing? New evidence from Mexico suggests that it can.

Opportunity Technology

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CReAM Reports

Data-driven reports on migration and related economic and social trends, highlighting the latest developments across Europe and beyond.

All CReAM Reports

No. 6/26 - July 2026

Employment of Immigrants in the European Union: Progress, Persistent Gaps, and Untapped Potential

Employment among immigrants in the European Union has reached its highest level since 2017, yet important differences remain across origin groups, countries and demographic characteristics. While EU immigrants frequently match or exceed native employment rates across Member States, substantial employment disadvantages remain concentrated among non-EU immigrant women and highly educated non-EU immigrants, pointing to significant untapped labour market potential.

Human Capital Integration Labor Force Opportunity

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No. 5/26 - June 2026

The Refugee Population in Europe in 2025: A Decade of Growth Comes to a Halt

The rapid growth of Europe's refugee population has come to an end. Drawing on new UNHCR data, this report shows how falling asylum inflows, the naturalisation of earlier refugee cohorts in Germany, and a reform of temporary protection in Italy are reshaping refugee numbers.

Demography Integration

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No. 4/26 - May 2026

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

This report examines educational attainment among natives, EU-born immigrants, and non-EU-born immigrants across the European Union, highlighting how differences by origin, gender, and country continue to shape educational outcomes despite a general rise in tertiary attainment since 2017.

Human Capital Opportunity

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press

1 Oct 2026

Deputy Director Alexandra Spitz-Oener featured in multiple media outlets

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Press release

1 Oct 2026

Major professional upheaval: In 1992, only 17 per cent of East German workers were still in the same occupation

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Announcement Call for paper CReAM at RFBerlin

30 Sep 2026

Call for Papers for RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027 is now open.

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Press release

28 Sep 2026

Espionage boosted East Germany’s economic output by 7.4 per cent

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

6 Oct

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

In his research, Lukasz Rachel (University College London)

Reply on Twitter 2107464352546587015 Retweet on Twitter 2107464352546587015 Like on Twitter 2107464352546587015

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

6 Oct

🗞️ The weekly release of our Discussion Paper Series!
You find more here: https://buff.ly/B8AMvLL

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

2 Oct

RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann was interviewed by The Marker, examining Europe’s differing approaches to immigration a decade after the 2015 refugee crisis. He discussed the economic and social effects of migration and the importance of well-managed, democratically

Reply on Twitter 2105976474457014780 Retweet on Twitter 2105976474457014780 1 Like on Twitter 2105976474457014780

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

2 Oct

🗞️ The weekly release of our Discussion Paper Series!
You find more here: https://buff.ly/B8AMvLL

Reply on Twitter 2105953475477565588 Retweet on Twitter 2105953475477565588 1 Like on Twitter 2105953475477565588 1

Upcoming events

RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.

Applied Economics Seminar

13 October 2026

Lukasz Rachel (University College London)

Leisure-Enhancing Technological Change

Brown Bag Seminar

14 October 2026

Daiji Kawaguchi (Tokyo University)

Factory Automation, Labor Demand, and Market Dynamics

Annual Public Lecture

20 October 2026

Investing in Child Mental Health: Implications for Human Capital Development

RFBerlin Annual Public Lecture by Janet Currie

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Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

In anticipation of the upcoming Handbook of Labor Economics, we offer early access to select chapters through our Discussion Papers series. Following our 2023 conference on this new edition, first chapters are now available for preview, featuring insights from leading research in economics and labor.

We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

Sign up for the RFBerlin Annual Public Lecture!

Become part of our research team

Research

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

CReAM Reports

News

Deputy Director Alexandra Spitz-Oener featured in multiple media outlets

Major professional upheaval: In 1992, only 17 per cent of East German workers were still in the same occupation

Call for Papers for RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027 is now open.

Espionage boosted East Germany’s economic output by 7.4 per cent

Upcoming events

Applied Economics Seminar

Lukasz Rachel (University College London)

Brown Bag Seminar

Daiji Kawaguchi (Tokyo University)

Annual Public Lecture

Investing in Child Mental Health: Implications for Human Capital Development

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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