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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. 138/25 - December 2025

The Rise of Viet Nam’s Solar Panel Industry: Inputs, FDI, and Spillovers

Meng Yu Ngov, Pierre-Louis Vézina, Trang Thu Tran, Gaurav Nayyar

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No. 137/25 - December 2025

Out-of-School Learning: Subtitling vs. Dubbing and the Acquisition of Foreign-Language Skills

Frauke Baumeister, Eric A. Hanushek, Ludger Woessmann

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No. 136/25 - December 2025

Multidimensional Skills on LinkedIn Profiles: Measuring Human Capital and the Gender Skill Gap

David Dorn, Florian Schoner, Moritz Seebacher, Lisa Simon, Ludger Woessmann

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No. 135/25 - December 2025

Division of Labor in the Global Economy

Sascha O. Becker, Hartmut Egger, Michael Koch, Marc-Andreas Muendler

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Research Insights

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

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No. 1/25 - September 2025

The Winners and Losers of Collective Bargaining Decentralization

In Italy, national agreements between unions and employers set wages and conditions. New evidence reveals how firms opting out of this system reshape pay, job stability, and survival.

Equity Human Capital Opportunity

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press

6 Nov 2025 • Handelsblatt

The Economics of Gender Equality and Family Choices

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Press

5 Nov 2025 • Süddeutsche Zeitung

Claudia Goldin on Gender Equality, Work, and Family Policy

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Call for paper

3 Nov 2025

Call for Papers Now Open: Health and Economic Well-Being

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Press

3 Nov 2025 • La Repubblica

Izabela Wnuk-Soares on Poland’s Economic Growth and EU Integration

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

5 Dec

Tonight we’re hosting the RFBerlin Holiday Party! 🎄✨
Looking forward to celebrating the end of a very successful year with our colleagues and friends.

Reply on Twitter 1997050827861905591 Retweet on Twitter 1997050827861905591 1 Like on Twitter 1997050827861905591 12

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

5 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@AnsonZhou9 documents countries struggling to have high fertility, low single parenthood, and gender income equality all at once. A unified model shows this tension is structural, and only lowering women’s child-rearing costs eases it
🔗…

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

4 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@ProfDavidDorn, Florian Schoner, @SeebacherMoritz, Lisa Simon, & @Woessmann use Linkedin data to measure multidimensional skills and uncover a dynamic gender skill gap explaining a large share of the earnings gap.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25136.pdf

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

4 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
Antoine Bertheau & @CPHoeck study firms’ beliefs about wage setting, uncovering how employers perceive labor supply, competition, and worker outside options, and how these beliefs shape wage offers.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25133.pdf

Reply on Twitter 1996576724281102826 Retweet on Twitter 1996576724281102826 4 Like on Twitter 1996576724281102826 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 Masterclass

7 May – 8 May 2026

“Labor Force Transitions” by Markus Poschke and Fabian Lange

RFBerlin Event

11 Jun – 12 Jun 2026

RFBerlin-CEPR Annual Symposium in Labour Economics 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

The Winners and Losers of Collective Bargaining Decentralization

News

The Economics of Gender Equality and Family Choices

Claudia Goldin on Gender Equality, Work, and Family Policy

Call for Papers Now Open: Health and Economic Well-Being

Izabela Wnuk-Soares on Poland’s Economic Growth and EU Integration

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Masterclass

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

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Labor Force Transitions” by Markus Poschke and Fabian Lange

RFBerlin Event

RFBerlin-CEPR Annual Symposium in Labour Economics 2026

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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