Homepage

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

About us

Work with us

Become part of our research team

Join as a PhD student

Join as a postdoc

Research

Learn more

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. 115/26 - April 2026

Motivating Job Seekers. A Field Experiment

Bart Cockx, Johan Egebark, Greet van Hoye, Emilie Videnord, Johan Vikström

View paper

No. 114/26 - April 2026

The Math-Verbal Divide: Unequal Returns to Cognitive Skills in Education and Work

Judith M. Delaney, Paul J. Devereux

View paper

No. 113/26 - April 2026

From Shares to Machines: How Common Ownership Drives Automation

Joseph Emmens, Dennis C. Hutschenreiter, Stefano Manfredonia, Felix Noth, Tommaso Santini

View paper

No. 112/26 - April 2026

Work from Home and Disability Employment

Nicholas Bloom, Gordon B. Dahl, Dan-Olof Rooth

View paper

View all Discussion Papers

Research Insights

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

All Research Insights

No. 11/26 - April 2026

When Robots Enter the Workplace: How Automation Shapes Children’s Future Prospects

Industrial robots and other automation technologies have transformed labour markets in recent decades. Not much is known about the long-run consequences of these technological changes, especially whether their effects extend beyond the workers directly exposed to automation and spill over to the next generation.

Human Capital Technology

Learn more

No. 10/26 - April 2026

Unlucky Migrants: Migrating During a Recession Can Lower Immigrants’ Earnings for More Than a Decade

Does the state of the economy matter when immigrants arrive in a host country? Our study shows that it does – and the effects can last for years.

migration Opportunity

Learn more

No. 9/26 - March 2026

Will AI Make Workers Better Off?

Will generative AI mainly replace workers, or will it increase living standards? This study responds “yes” to both.

Human Capital Opportunity Technology

Learn more

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. 2/26 - March 2026

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

Migration aspirations in Iran and Lebanon closely follow existing diaspora networks and refugee corridors, with Germany and Canada as both major hosts and top preferred destinations. If displacement rises, flows are likely to concentrate in a few high-income countries, with education influencing how broadly potential destinations are considered.

Inclusion Migration

View report

No. 1/26 - February 2026

Four Years On: What Gallup Data Reveal About Staying, Leaving, and Life Expectations in Ukraine

Migration aspirations in Ukraine fell sharply after the 2022 invasion, dropping from around one-third of adults pre-war to below 15% by 2023–2024. This decline is broad-based and may reflect stronger attachment to the country and optimism about future recovery, while Germany remains the most preferred destination among those who still wish to emigrate.

Migration Opportunity

View report

No. 4/25 - October 2025

From Syria to Ukraine: Refugee Inflows and Trends in the European Union

The refugee population in the EU increased dramatically from about 1 million in 2014 to 7.8 million in 2024, driven first by the Syrian crisis and then by the much larger and faster inflow following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Germany remains the main host country, recent years have seen accelerated and uneven growth across member states, alongside renewed pressure on asylum systems with rising application backlogs.

Human Capital Migration Opportunity

View report

News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

View all press

Press

17 Apr 2026

Christian Dustmann in Zeit Online on Germany’s reform debate

View Article

Press

30 Mar 2026

German Media Mentions RFBerlin Insight on How Germany Could Raise Its Low Birth Rate

View article

Press release

23 Mar 2026

Income Tax Reform Could Boost Birth Rates in Germany

View article

Press

16 Mar 2026 • F.A.Z.

Christian Dustmann on the Role of Diaspora Networks in Shaping Migration Patterns

View article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

13h

…and that’s a wrap! With closing words from RFBerlin director Christian Dustmann, the conference on Health and Economic Well-Being comes to an end! We thank everyone who joined us! 🎉

Reply on Twitter 2045145509816393974 Retweet on Twitter 2045145509816393974 1 Like on Twitter 2045145509816393974 8

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

14h

As we near the ending, our last presenter of the day is Marcos Vera-Hernández from @EconUCL giving a talk on “More to Live for: Health Investment Responses to Expected Retirement Wealth in Chile”.

Reply on Twitter 2045136608702132635 Retweet on Twitter 2045136608702132635 Like on Twitter 2045136608702132635 2

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

14h

🖋️RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann was cited in an article from @zeitonline about Germany’s reform debate, challenging the narrative of Agenda 2010 as the key to Germany’s success, and pointing instead to the role of globalization and export demand.

📰Read the article here:

Reply on Twitter 2045132673052553327 Retweet on Twitter 2045132673052553327 Like on Twitter 2045132673052553327

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

14h

We continue after our lunch break with RFBerlin research officer Lukas Tohoff from Berlin School of Economics at @HumboldtUni, presenting on “The Life-Cycle Consequences of Obesity and the Welfare Effects of Weight-Loss Drugs”.

Reply on Twitter 2045126814733853113 Retweet on Twitter 2045126814733853113 1 Like on Twitter 2045126814733853113 1

Upcoming events

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

RFBerlin Masterclass

23 Apr – 24 Apr 2026

“Skills and human capital in the labor market” by Mikko Silliman

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

24 April 2026

Mikko Silliman (Aalto University)

Multidimensional skills and spatial sorting

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

28 April 2026

Sabrina Di Addario (Bank of Italy)

Shedding Light on Inventors in Italy

View all events

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

When Robots Enter the Workplace: How Automation Shapes Children’s Future Prospects

Unlucky Migrants: Migrating During a Recession Can Lower Immigrants’ Earnings for More Than a Decade

Will AI Make Workers Better Off?

CReAM Reports

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

Four Years On: What Gallup Data Reveal About Staying, Leaving, and Life Expectations in Ukraine

From Syria to Ukraine: Refugee Inflows and Trends in the European Union

News

Christian Dustmann in Zeit Online on Germany’s reform debate

German Media Mentions RFBerlin Insight on How Germany Could Raise Its Low Birth Rate

Income Tax Reform Could Boost Birth Rates in Germany

Christian Dustmann on the Role of Diaspora Networks in Shaping Migration Patterns

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Skills and human capital in the labor market” by Mikko Silliman

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Mikko Silliman (Aalto University)

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Sabrina Di Addario (Bank of Italy)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

Sign up to our newsletter