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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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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. 170/26 - June 2026

Changes in Returns to Multidimensional Skills across Cohorts

Lorenzo Navarini

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No. 169/26 - June 2026

Economic and Magnet Effects of Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers: Descriptive Evidence from the United States

Michael A. Clemens, Amy M. Nice, Natalia Rigol

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No. 168/26 - June 2026

More Channels, Lower Scores: Entertainment Television and Student Achievement

Andrea Caria, Daniele Checchi, Dimitri Paolini, Paolo Pinotti

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No. 167/26 - June 2026

Labor Unions and Social Insurance

Naoki Aizawa, Hanming Fang, Katsuhiro Komatsu

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Research Insights

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

All Research Insights

No. 22/26 - June 2026

The Minimum Wage and Inequality Between Groups

Drawing on four decades of U.S. wage data, this study examines whether minimum wage increases reduce wage inequality and finds significant gains for traditionally lower-paid demographic groups.

Opportunity

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No. 21/26 - June 2026

Did Extractive Taxation Trigger the French Revolution?

This study explores how heavier taxation under the Ancien Régime contributed to unrest and anti-tax grievances before 1789. The findings suggest that unequal and extractive taxation undermined the monarchy’s legitimacy and helped fuel support for revolutionary change.

Opportunity

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No. 20/26 - June 2026

Friends at Work: Do Social Connections Make Teams Perform Better?

Imagine a workplace where teams occasionally meet outside work—sharing a meal, playing games, or simply spending time together. It may sound like a small perk, but could it actually be profitable for employers to support such activities?

Opportunity

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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. 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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No. 3/26 - April 2026

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

The EU hosts a record 64 million foreign-born residents, with migration continuing to grow strongly, though unevenly across countries. While Germany and Spain dominate in absolute numbers, smaller Member States often face greater relative pressure.

Demography Human Capital

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press release

20 Jun 2026

Europe’s Refugee Population Stabilises After A Decade Of Growth 

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CReAM at RFBerlin

19 Jun 2026

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

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Press

8 Jun 2026

Christian Dustmann in WELT on Wages and Productivity

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Press

8 Jun 2026

Andrea Weber Featured in Der Standard Interview on Gender Quotas

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

19 Jun

🌍 Ahead of World Refugee Day, CReAM at RFBerlin has published a new report by Christian Dustmann, Tommaso Frattini, Camilla Piovesan, and Giuseppe Pulito on the refugee population in Europe.
After more than a decade of growth, the refugee population in the EU and the UK

Reply on Twitter 2067948033317142716 Retweet on Twitter 2067948033317142716 2 Like on Twitter 2067948033317142716 2

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

19 Jun

🧠 𝗥𝗙𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
Does the minimum wage close wage gaps between demographic groups? Research by Francine Blau, Isaac Cohen, Matthew Comey, Lawrence Kahn & Nikolai Boboshko provides 40 years of evidence, and the findings are clear. The minimum

Reply on Twitter 2067914232008479141 Retweet on Twitter 2067914232008479141 1 Like on Twitter 2067914232008479141

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

17 Jun

🗞️ New release of our Discussion Paper Series!
Stay up to date and find out more: https://www.rfberlin.com/discussion-papers/

Reply on Twitter 2067249733370798083 Retweet on Twitter 2067249733370798083 2 Like on Twitter 2067249733370798083 8

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

16 Jun

Today, we welcome @AndersPHumlum (@UChicago), as he gives a seminar on

Integrators: The Firm Boundaries of Capital-Skill Complementarity.

Reply on Twitter 2066862277052023097 Retweet on Twitter 2066862277052023097 Like on Twitter 2066862277052023097 9

Upcoming events

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

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

23 June 2026

Antonio Cabrales (Charles III University of Madrid)

Mental health stigma: an intervention

RFBerlin Masterclass

6 Jul – 7 Jul 2026

“Non-wage amenities” by Alexandre Mas

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

7 July 2026

Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)

The Labor Market as an Equilibrium Newsvendor Problem

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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.

Become part of our research team

Research

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

The Minimum Wage and Inequality Between Groups

Did Extractive Taxation Trigger the French Revolution?

Friends at Work: Do Social Connections Make Teams Perform Better?

CReAM Reports

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

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

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

News

Europe’s Refugee Population Stabilises After A Decade Of Growth

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

Christian Dustmann in WELT on Wages and Productivity

Andrea Weber Featured in Der Standard Interview on Gender Quotas

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Antonio Cabrales (Charles III University of Madrid)

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Non-wage amenities” by Alexandre Mas

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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Europe’s Refugee Population Stabilises After A Decade Of Growth 