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

Sign up for the RFBerlin Annual Public Lecture!

This year we welcome Janet Currie, Professor of Economics at Yale University, for a lecture on youth mental health, one of the defining challenges of our time. Join us and reserve your seat.

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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. 277/26 - October 2026

The Paradox of Inequality

Oded Galor, Luca Pensieroso, Daniel C. Wainstock

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No. 276/26 - October 2026

The Labour Market Dynamics of Households. Eyes Down for a Full House.

Jonathan Wadsworth, Paul Gregg

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No. 275/26 - October 2026

Inheritance Customs and the European Marriage Pattern

Matthew Curtis, Paula E. Gobbi, Marc Goñi, Joanne Haddad

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No. 274/26 - October 2026

Randomized to Opportunity: Measuring Place Effects for Refugee Children

N. Meltem Daysal, Joseph J. Doyle, Jr., Naeim S. Samandari, Emil A. L. Simonsen, Mircea Trandafir

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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 ·

16 Oct

🗞️ The weekly release of our Discussion Paper Series!
You find more here: https://buff.ly/B8AMvLL

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

15 Oct

🧠 Research Insight

How do municipalities respond to changes in funding?

Research by Ines Helm and Jan Stuhler finds that additional transfers boost infrastructure investment, while revenue losses trigger faster spending cuts than gains lead to increases.

The findings

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

14 Oct

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming @LukaszRachel, Associate Professor at University College London, who presented

“Leisure-Enhancing Technological Change” as part of our Applied Economics Seminar series.

Click the link below to stay informed on all events at

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

14 Oct

Next week Wednesday we welcome Professor W. Bentley MacLeod (Yale University, Columbia University) for our Applied Economics Seminar series! He will deliver a special keynote as part of the RFBerlin Workshop on Topics in Applied Microeconomics on "The Economics of Professional

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Upcoming events

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

Annual Public Lecture

20 October 2026

Investing in Child Mental Health: Implications for Human Capital Development

RFBerlin Annual Public Lecture by Janet Currie

Workshop

21 October 2026

RFBerlin Workshop on Topics in Applied Microeconomics

Applied Economics Seminar

21 October 2026

W. Bentley MacLeod (Yale University & Columbia University)

The Economics of Professional Decision-Making: Can Artificial Intelligence Reduce Decision Uncertainty?

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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.

Sign up for the RFBerlin Annual Public Lecture!

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

Annual Public Lecture

Investing in Child Mental Health: Implications for Human Capital Development

Workshop

RFBerlin Workshop on Topics in Applied Microeconomics

Applied Economics Seminar

W. Bentley MacLeod (Yale University & Columbia University)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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