We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.
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Research
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. 189/26 - July 2026
Gender Differences in Self-Promotion and Career Advice
Rigissa Megalokonomou, Juliana Silva-Goncalves, Roel van Veldhuizen
No. 188/26 - July 2026
Industrial clusters in the long run: Evidence from Million-Rouble plants in China
Stephan Heblich, Marlon Seror, Hao Xu, Yanos Zylberberg
No. 187/26 - July 2026
Collective Bargaining in Germany: Trends and Challenges
Lutz Bellmann, Christian Dustmann, Bernd Fitzenberger
No. 186/26 - July 2026
Child Disability and Effects on Sibling Mental Health
Janet Currie, N. Meltem Daysal, Mette GΓΈrtz, Jonas Hirani
Research Insights
Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

No. 18/26 - May 2026
Religion and Economic Growth: What We Know and Why It Matters
Why are some countries rich and others poor? Economists have long pointed to investment, education, and technology. But one factor has been largely overlooked: religion.
Learn more
No. 17/26 - May 2026
Paying for Peers? How Swiss Parents Value School Quality and Composition
Where you live is where your child learns. In Switzerland, residential address determines school assignment, leaving parents with a stark choice: pay for private education or move.
Learn more
No. 16/26 - May 2026
WhenΒ Checklists Backfire: Too Much Control Can Harm Workers and SalesΒ
The quality of management practices is crucial for both productivity of firms and the wellbeing of workers. Many firms use checklists as a management practice. Top managers often believe in the benefits of checklists as a mechanism to assure product and service quality. But what about workers?
Learn moreCReAM Reports
Data-driven reports on migration and related economic and social trends, highlighting the latest developments across Europe and beyond.

No. 1/25 - April 2025
The Immigrant Population in the European Union
The EUβs foreign-born population reached over 63 million in 2024 (14.1%), driven by non-EU inflows and post-2022 surges. Germany remains the main destination, with most immigrants of working age and uneven distribution across countries.
View reportNews
RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

29 Jun 2026
RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann on the Influence of Colleagues on Careers
View article

22 Jun 2026
Asian and Australasian Society of Labour Economics Conterence 2026 β Final Call
Learn More
22 Jun 2026
CReAM Report on Refugee Population in Europe in 2025 Gains Global Media Attention
View articleTweets by @RF_Berlin
π This Friday marks the 100th RFBerlin Brown Bag Seminar!
This time, we’re delighted to welcome David Berger (@DukeEcon) for a talk on π ππ’π―πͺπ΄π© ππͺπΉ π°π§ π.π. ππ°π³π΅π¨π’π¨π¦ ππ°π€π¬-πͺπ―?
100 seminars, countless ideas, and many lively lunchtime discussions;
π° Our latest CReAM@RFBerlin report on immigrant employment in the EU has been featured by international media including @Reuters, @tagesschau, @FR, @Internazionale, @EconomicTimes and more.
Read the report by Christian Dustmann, Tommaso Frattini & Camilla Piovesan:
β‘οΈ
Employment is at its highest level since 2017, but Europe is still leaving talent untapped.
Better recognition of foreign qualifications, improved job matching, and stronger support for non-EU immigrant women could help unlock underused talent and ease labour shortages across
Upcoming events
RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.
RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar
17 November 2026
Evan K. Rose (University of Chicago)
TBA
RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar
24 November 2026
Tatiana Mocanu (Columbia University)
TBA
RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar
1 December 2026
Oskar NordstrΓΆm Skans (Uppsala University)
TBA
Handbook of Labor Economics β 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.

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