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Research

Fact of the day

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.

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity
Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity
Migration & Global Collaboration
Migration & Global Collaboration
Technology, Trade & Human Capital
Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

No. 122/26 - April 2026

Automation and the Changing Composition of Skill Demand

Mark Hellsten, Giuseppe Pulito, Sarah Schroeder

No. 121/26 - April 2026

Trends and Structure of Educational Assortative Mating

Edoardo Ciscato

No. 120/26 - April 2026

Asymmetric Fertility Elasticities

Sam Engle, Chong Pang, Anson Zhou

No. 119/26 - April 2026

Cultural Adaptation and the Uneven Emergence of Large-Scale Cooperation

Oded Galor

Research Insights

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

No. 13/26 - April 2026

Managers on International Rotations Impact Gender Pay Gaps and Workplace Culture

How can foreign managers change local workplace culture? In our recent study (Minni et al., 2026), drawing on data from a large multinational firm, we show that international manager rotations can shift cultural norms inside organizations

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No. 12/26 - April 2026

The Invasion of Ukraine Increased Public Support for Putin

Western policy discussions often centre on the idea that military spending, economic sanctions, and battlefield losses will eventually erode domestic support for the Kremlin. This study provides evidence of what happened to Russian public opinion when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

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No. 11/26 - April 2026

When Robots Enter the Workplace: How Automation Shapes Children’s Future Prospects

Industrial robots and other automation technologies have transformed labour markets in recent decades. Not much is known about the long-run consequences of these technological changes, especially whether their effects extend beyond the workers directly exposed to automation and spill over to the next generation.

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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.

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.

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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.

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No. 1/26 - February 2026

Four Years On: What Gallup Data Reveal About Staying, Leaving, and Life Expectations in Ukraine

Migration aspirations in Ukraine fell sharply after 2022, dropping from about one-third of adults pre-war to under 15% by 2023–2024. The decline is widespread, likely reflecting stronger attachment and recovery optimism, with Germany still the top destination among those who wish to leave.

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

Press

27 Apr 2026

CReAM at RFBerlin Director Tommaso Frattini Discusses Latest Migration Trends on Rai Radio 1
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Press

22 Apr 2026

CReAM Report on Immigrant Population in the EU Featured in Global Media Outlets
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Press release

22 Apr 2026

Number of Immigrants Reaches Record High in the EU
View article
Press

17 Apr 2026

Christian Dustmann in Zeit Online on Germany’s reform debate
View Article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

🧠New RFBerlin Research Insight!

Who manages your team shapes more than performance, it shapes culture. New research by @VirginiaMinni, Kieu-Trang Nguyen, Heather Sarsons and @CarlaSrebot shows gender-progressive foreign managers narrow the gender pay gap by ~20%, and those

El número de inmigrantes que viven en la UE bate récord en 2025, con 64 millones frente a l40 millones en 2010, según estudio de @RF_Berlin Alemania sigue siendo el principal destino pero España el que más rápido crece, casi igualando ya a Francia.

🧠New RFBerlin Research Insight!

Foreign wars sometimes boost leaders’ popularity at home.

A study by Mikael Elinder, Oscar Erixson & @ollehammar examines Russian public opinion before and after the invasion, revealing a powerful rally effect that reshaped attitudes far beyond

📄 New RFBerlin Discussion Papers: stay updated with recent findings 👇
From migration choices to AI, housing, and well-being: here’s a tour of our latest research 🧵

Upcoming events

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

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

28 April 2026

Sabrina Di Addario (Bank of Italy)

Shedding Light on Inventors in Italy

Brown Bag Seminar

29 April 2026

Gregor Jarosch (Duke University)

Should Friday be the New Saturday? Hours Worked and Hours Wanted

RFBerlin Masterclass

7 May – 8 May 2026

“Labor Force Transitions” by Markus Poschke and Fabian Lange

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.

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