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

Call for Papers: RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027

CReAM@RFBerlin invites submissions for the third RFBerlin Migration Forum, on migration, integration, and economic competitiveness, with keynotes by Jens Hainmueller (Stanford) and Giovanni Peri (UC Davis).
Submission deadline: 8 November 2026.

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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. 280/26 - October 2026

Understanding Migration Responses to Local Shocks

Kirill Borusyak, Rafael Dix-Carneiro, Brian Kovak

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No. 279/26 - October 2026

Migrant Regularization as Climate Adaptation

Francesco Amodio, Elia Benveniste, Mario Francesco Carillo, Marc Riudavets-Barcons

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No. 278/26 - October 2026

Cats, Dogs, and Babies: Quasi-Experimental Evidence on Substitutes or Complements from Linked Administrative Records

Kuan-Ming Chen, Ming-Jen Lin, Hau-Hung Yang, Shirley Yu-Hsuan Yen

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No. 277/26 - October 2026

The Paradox of Inequality

Oded Galor, Luca Pensieroso, Daniel C. Wainstock

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Research Insights

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

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No. 41/26 - October 2026

When a Younger Sibling Has a Disability, Older Children Pay a Mental Health Price

About one in fourteen Danish families has a child with a physical disability, such as a heart defect, epilepsy or cerebral palsy. Caring for that child takes time, money and emotional energy. What happens to the brothers and sisters who grow up alongside them?

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No. 40/26 - October 2026

How Municipal Budgets Respond to Revenue Gains and Losses

How do local governments use additional funds, and how do they adjust to revenue cuts? These questions are central to the design of fiscal equalization schemes and of large public investment programs that channel funds to municipalities. They are difficult to answer, however, because transfers typically respond to local conditions.

Opportunity

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No. 39/26 - October 2026

How do Firms Adjust to Parental Leave Absences?

Across most Western countries, mothers who give birth usually take some form of leave from work. But what happens within a firm when a worker goes on a planned parental leave?

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. 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 release

18 Oct 2026

When a younger sibling has a disability, it places a strain on older children

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Press

8 Oct 2026

Interview with Deputy Director Alexandra Spitz-Oener on rbb Inforadio

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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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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

15h

With closing remarks by RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann today's workshop comes to an end. Thank you to everyone involved, it was an inspiring day! 🎉

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

16h

To close off the day, we are pleased to welcome our keynote speaker Prof. W. Bentley MacLeod (@Yale, @Columbia), with his talk on "What are the implications of computational complexity for law and economics?".

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

18h

Before we have our last coffee break, RFBerlin Deputy Director Alexandra Spitz-Oener (HU Berlin) presents on "AI and the Transformation of Firm Work".

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

18h

Now, RFBerlin Senior Research Officers Izabela Wnuk-Soares and Jakob Wegmann present in turn. First we have Izabela on "Immigration and Employment in Long-Term Care: Evidence from EU Enlargement", followed by Jakob on "Diversity in Small Samples".

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Upcoming events

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

Applied Economics Seminar

27 October 2026

Michael Keane (Johns Hopkins University)

Human Capital and Optimal Taxation

Brown Bag Seminar

28 October 2026

Jim Albrecht & Susan Vroman (both Georgetown University)

Parental Leave: Economic Incentives and Cultural Changes

Masterclass

5 Nov – 6 Nov 2026

Racial Inequality in the Labor Market

Taught by Kerwin Charles and Ellora Derenoncourt

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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.

Call for Papers: RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027

Become part of our research team

Research

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

CReAM Reports

News

When a younger sibling has a disability, it places a strain on older children

Interview with Deputy Director Alexandra Spitz-Oener on rbb Inforadio

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

Upcoming events

Applied Economics Seminar

Michael Keane (Johns Hopkins University)

Brown Bag Seminar

Jim Albrecht & Susan Vroman (both Georgetown University)

Masterclass

Racial Inequality in the Labor Market

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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