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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. 120/26 - April 2026

Asymmetric Fertility Elasticities

Sam Engle, Chong Pang, Anson Zhou

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No. 119/26 - April 2026

Cultural Adaptation and the Uneven Emergence of Large-Scale Cooperation

Oded Galor

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No. 118/26 - April 2026

Pre-AI Sorting, Post-AI Inequality: Generative AI and the Gender Wage Gap

Joacim Tåg, Fredrik Heyman, Malin Gardberg, Martin Olsson

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No. 117/26 - April 2026

Buying Out the Means of Production: Wages and Productivity in Labor-Managed Firms

Elia Benveniste

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Research Insights

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

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No. 12/26 - April 2026

The Invasion of Ukraine Increased Public Support for Putin

Western policy discussions often centre on the idea that military spending, economic sanctions, and battlefield losses will eventually erode domestic support for the Kremlin. This study provides evidence of what happened to Russian public opinion when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Opportunity

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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

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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

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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. 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. These patterns are mirrored in asylum and refugee dynamics, where applications and protection needs are highly concentrated in a few countries, yet vary substantially in both origin and relative burden across the EU.

Human Capital Migration

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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

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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

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press release

22 Apr 2026

Number of Immigrants Reaches Record High in the EU

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Press

17 Apr 2026

Christian Dustmann in Zeit Online on Germany’s reform debate

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Press

30 Mar 2026

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

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Press release

23 Mar 2026

Income Tax Reform Could Boost Birth Rates in Germany

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

21 Apr

📄 New RFBerlin Discussion Papers: stay updated with recent findings 👇
From migration choices to AI, housing, and well-being: here’s a tour of our latest research 🧵

Reply on Twitter 2046483911262253178 Retweet on Twitter 2046483911262253178 1 Like on Twitter 2046483911262253178

Retweet on Twitter ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin Retweeted

VoxDev @vox_dev ·

13 Apr

Can providing information reduce risky migration?

Last month on VoxDev, @giac_bat (@RF_Berlin), Lucia Corno (@Unicatt) & @elianalaferrara (@Kennedy_School) outlined an informational intervention on the risks of irregular migration in Guinea:

Reply on Twitter 2043705868546342937 Retweet on Twitter 2043705868546342937 2 Like on Twitter 2043705868546342937 8

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

17 Apr

…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 11

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

17 Apr

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

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

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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 Invasion of Ukraine Increased Public Support for Putin

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

CReAM Reports

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

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

News

Number of Immigrants Reaches Record High in the EU

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

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

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