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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. 175/26 - June 2026

Income and Tax Consequences of Selling Ownership Stakes: Evidence from Major Shareholders of Private Firms in Canada

Terry Moon, Linda Wu

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No. 174/26 - June 2026

A missed opportunity? Labor demand and workforce diversity

Anna Bindler, Barbara Boelmann, Lena Janys, Luisa H. Santiago Wolf

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No. 173/26 - June 2026

Engines of Growth and Inequality in the Wealth of Nations

Oded Galor

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No. 172/26 - June 2026

Domino Effects: Understanding Sectoral Reallocation and its Wage Implications

Linnea Lorentzen

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Research Insights

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

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No. 24/26 - July 2026

Why Job Finding Gets Harder the Longer Unemployment Lasts

People who stay unemployed longer are much less likely to find a job—but why?

Human Capital Opportunity

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No. 23/26 - June 2026

Coworkers and Careers: The Dual Impact of Learning and Competition in the Workplace

How do coworkers shape the careers of young workers? The impact of coworkers on young workers is more complex than it appears. While experienced colleagues can foster valuable learning and career growth, strong peers competing for the same positions may reduce advancement opportunities.

Opportunity

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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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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

1 Jul 2026

RFBerlin Research Insight on Unemployment Featured on rbb24 Inforadio

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Press release

1 Jul 2026

Job Prospects Decline Sharply The Longer a Person Remains Unemployed

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Press

29 Jun 2026

RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann on the Influence of Colleagues on Careers

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Press

26 Jun 2026

Research Insight on Coworkers and Careers Mentioned in German Media

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

🧠 RFBerlin Research Insight!

Job seekers send 25% fewer applications after just one year of unemployment. Not laziness — discouragement. Employers increasingly screen out the long-term unemployed, and workers respond by giving up. New research unpacks the vicious cycle, read

Reply on Twitter 2072255158340206881 Retweet on Twitter 2072255158340206881 1 Like on Twitter 2072255158340206881 1

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

29 Jun

What if hiring is really an inventory problem? Tested on US nurse staffing data Alexandre Mas builds an equilibrium model of the labour market as a newsvendor: firms either hold permanent staff as a buffer or hire on the spot once demand is realised.The twist is an externality:

Reply on Twitter 2071534167548985474 Retweet on Twitter 2071534167548985474 Like on Twitter 2071534167548985474 2

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

23 Jun

Does giving people the facts about mental health get them to seek help? Often not.
Antonio Cabrales (Charles III University of Madrid) finds what works — a story from someone like you: testimonials from similar people lower self-stigma and bring more young adults to a

Reply on Twitter 2069368458949595607 Retweet on Twitter 2069368458949595607 1 Like on Twitter 2069368458949595607 5

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

22 Jun

🚨 Final call: @AASLE_Econs 2026 submissions close 30 June. Present your labour and applied economics work at Peking University this December. Keynotes by Joseph Altonji (Yale University) and Marianne Bertrand (Chicago Booth).
Learn more: https://www.rfberlin.com/aasle-2026-final-call/

Reply on Twitter 2069072951362593002 Retweet on Twitter 2069072951362593002 2 Like on Twitter 2069072951362593002 1

Upcoming events

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

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

RFBerlin Event

27 Aug – 30 Aug 2026

RFBerlin Nizza Monferrato Workshop 2026

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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

Why Job Finding Gets Harder the Longer Unemployment Lasts

Coworkers and Careers: The Dual Impact of Learning and Competition in the Workplace

The Minimum Wage and Inequality Between Groups

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

RFBerlin Research Insight on Unemployment Featured on rbb24 Inforadio

Job Prospects Decline Sharply The Longer a Person Remains Unemployed

RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann on the Influence of Colleagues on Careers

Research Insight on Coworkers and Careers Mentioned in German Media

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Non-wage amenities” by Alexandre Mas

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)

RFBerlin Event

RFBerlin Nizza Monferrato Workshop 2026

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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