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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. 152/26 - May 2026

The THIRD Way in Empirical Economics Research

David Green

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No. 151/26 - May 2026

The Complementary Role of Information and Contraceptive Access in Teen Pregnancy

Sevin Kaytan, Stwarth Piedra-Bonilla, Tom Zohar

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No. 150/26 - May 2026

Intergenerational Transmission of Victimization

Sonia Bhalotra, N. Meltem Daysal, Mathias Fjællegaard Jensen, Thomas H. Jørgensen, Sébastien Montpetit

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No. 149/26 - May 2026

On Causal Inference with Model-Based Outcomes

Dmitry Arkhangelsky, Kazuharu Yanagimoto, Tom Zohar

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Research Insights

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

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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.

Opportunity

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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.

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No. 16/26 - May 2026

When Checklists Backfire: Too Much Control Can Harm Workers and Sales

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?

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. 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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No. 3/26 - April 2026

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

The EU hosts a record 64 million foreign-born residents, with migration continuing to grow strongly, though unevenly across countries. While Germany and Spain dominate in absolute numbers, smaller Member States often face greater relative pressure.

Demography Human Capital

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No. 2/26 - March 2026

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

Migration from Iran and Lebanon largely follows existing diaspora routes, especially to Germany and Canada. If displacement rises, flows will likely concentrate in a few high-income countries, with education shaping how widely destinations are considered.

Integration Migration

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press

20 May 2026

Christian Dustmann in Table.Briefings on Germany’s Migration Challenges

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Press release

20 May 2026

Religion plays a greater role in the economy than previously thought

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Press

18 May 2026

CReAM Report on Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union in International Media

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CReAM at RFBerlin

15 May 2026

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

26 May

Last week we had two great days celebrating RFBerlin Director Christian Dustmann’s Festschrift at Humboldt University Berlin 🎉! Presentations, a boat tour, and wonderful company. Thank you to everyone who made it to Berlin! #Festschrift #Economics #Migration

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ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

20 May

🗞️ New release of our Discussion Paper Series!
Stay up to date and find out more: https://www.rfberlin.com/discussion-papers/

Reply on Twitter 2057038792649781407 Retweet on Twitter 2057038792649781407 1 Like on Twitter 2057038792649781407 1

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

20 May

🧠 Research Insight!

What if religion is one of the most underestimated drivers of economic growth?

Research by Becker, Rubin and Woessmann shows it shapes savings, education, family size, and institutions — and its effects last centuries.

Read about it here:

Reply on Twitter 2057038777516802449 Retweet on Twitter 2057038777516802449 Like on Twitter 2057038777516802449

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

15 May

🧠RFBerlin Research Insight!

Swiss parents can’t choose their school, so they choose their neighborhood. A survey of 2,700 parents finds academic quality is the #1 driver, but peer composition matters too, and families pay for both through higher housing costs. School policy is

Reply on Twitter 2055215379329192198 Retweet on Twitter 2055215379329192198 2 Like on Twitter 2055215379329192198 3

Upcoming events

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

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

2 June 2026

Laura Pilossoph (Duke University)

Job Search, Wages, and Inflation

RFBerlin Event

11 Jun – 12 Jun 2026

RFBerlin-CEPR Annual Symposium in Labour Economics 2026

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

16 June 2026

Anders Humlum (University of Chicago)

TBA

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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

Religion and Economic Growth: What We Know and Why It Matters

Paying for Peers? How Swiss Parents Value School Quality and Composition

When Checklists Backfire: Too Much Control Can Harm Workers and Sales

CReAM Reports

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

News

Christian Dustmann in Table.Briefings on Germany’s Migration Challenges

Religion plays a greater role in the economy than previously thought

CReAM Report on Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union in International Media

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Laura Pilossoph (Duke University)

RFBerlin Event

RFBerlin-CEPR Annual Symposium in Labour Economics 2026

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Anders Humlum (University of Chicago)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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