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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. 262/26 - September 2026

Capital-Skill Complementarity Beyond Firm Boundaries

Gert Bijnens, Anders Humlum, Stijn Vanormelingen

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No. 261/26 - September 2026

Targeted Acceleration in Middle School Math: Impacts on College Entry, Degree Completion, and STEM

David Card, Laura Giuliano

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No. 260/26 - September 2026

The Social Costs of Juvenile Incarceration: Long-Run Effects and Family Spillovers

Ozkan Eren, Randi Hjalmarsson, Orgul Ozturk

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No. 259/26 - September 2026

Why Do People Migrate Irregularly? Evidence from a Lab-in-the-Field Experiment in West Africa

Tijan Bah, Catia Batista

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Research Insights

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

All Research Insights

No. 38/26 - October 2026

Regime Change and Occupational Mobility: How German Reunification Reshuffled the Labor Market

When the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, East Germany's workforce faced a transformation unlike anything seen in post-war Europe. This insight shows that East German workers experienced far greater occupational mobility than their West German counterparts born in the same years.

Opportunity

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No. 37/26 - September 2026

When Knowledge Crosses Borders – Economic Espionage and Technological Progress

From semiconductors to artificial intelligence, concerns about economic espionage have become a central feature of geopolitical competition. But one fundamental question has remained surprisingly difficult to answer: does stealing technological knowledge actually improve economic performance?

Human Capital Opportunity Technology

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No. 36/26 - September 2026

Can AI-Powered Mental Health Apps Improve Well-Being

Can a mental health app on your phone sustainably improve psychological wellbeing? New evidence from Mexico suggests that it can.

Opportunity Technology

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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

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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Announcement Call for paper CReAM at RFBerlin

30 Sep 2026

Call for Papers for RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027 is now open.

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Press release

28 Sep 2026

Espionage boosted East Germany’s economic output by 7.4 per cent

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

🧠 What happens to workers’ careers when an economic system changes almost overnight? New research by Alexandra Spitz-Oener examines how German reunification reshaped occupational mobility – creating opportunities for advancement, but also risks of downward mobility and job loss.

Reply on Twitter 2105628488258482475 Retweet on Twitter 2105628488258482475 Like on Twitter 2105628488258482475

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

📢 We're hiring. RFBerlin is recruiting Postdoctoral Fellows in Economics, on the job market this year.
No teaching. Up to 6 years. Unique data, dedicated mentoring, and a research-first environment in Berlin.
Apply by 10 November: #econjobmarket

Reply on Twitter 2105590132405334243 Retweet on Twitter 2105590132405334243 7 Like on Twitter 2105590132405334243 17

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

30 Sep

📢 Call for papers is now open.
The RFBerlin Migration Forum returns for a third year, in Berlin on 18–19 March 2027. Keynotes from Jens Hainmueller (Stanford) and Giovanni Peri (UC Davis).
Deadline 8 November.
Details & submission: https://www.rfberlin.com/event/migrationforum27/

Reply on Twitter 2105228711079391385 Retweet on Twitter 2105228711079391385 9 Like on Twitter 2105228711079391385 16

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin

Verified account @rf_berlin ·

29 Sep

That's it for our first Joint Annual ROCKWOOL workshop! ✨️ It was a day filled with engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and plenty of opportunities to connect and exchange ideas.

We were delighted to welcome our Danish colleagues to Berlin and are already looking

Reply on Twitter 2104959495818395717 Retweet on Twitter 2104959495818395717 Like on Twitter 2104959495818395717 5

Upcoming events

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

Cooperative Event

5 Oct – 6 Oct 2026

Xavier D’Haultfoeuille (CREST-ENSAE)

Causal Inference with Differences-in-Differences: Credible Answers to Hard Questions

Applied Economics Seminar

6 October 2026

Simon Jäger (Princeton University)

Job Ads as Signals: Evidence from a Priced Amenity and Worker Beliefs

Applied Economics Seminar

13 October 2026

Lukasz Rachel (University College London)

Leisure-Enhancing Technological Change

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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

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

Call for Papers for RFBerlin Migration Forum 2027 is now open.

Espionage boosted East Germany’s economic output by 7.4 per cent

Upcoming events

Cooperative Event

Xavier D’Haultfoeuille (CREST-ENSAE)

Applied Economics Seminar

Simon Jäger (Princeton University)

Applied Economics Seminar

Lukasz Rachel (University College London)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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