Research papers from the German Economic Institutehttps://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/© 2010-2026 Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW)Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) RSS Generatoren-ENFri, 11 Sep 2026 10:02:00 +0200In-company vocational training is a key factor in securing skilled labour. The first step in investing in future employees is to approach and recruit new apprentices. For many companies, filling the apprenticeship positions they offer is a challenge. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/paula-risius-dirk-werner-philip-herzer-fritz-orange-regina-flake-franziska-arndt-making-apprenticeships-a-success-from-marketing-to-hiring.html?utm_source=rssFri, 11 Sep 2026 10:02:00 +0200The study examines whether a high level of collective bargaining coverage influences the functional income distribution between companies and employees. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/christoph-schroeder-collective-bargaining-coverage-and-functional-income-distribution-in-international-comparison.html?utm_source=rssThu, 23 Jul 2026 10:17:00 +0200Driven especially by the policies of US President Donald Trump, rising global economic fragmentation and geopolitical disorder have lent renewed strategic importance to the prospective free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/simon-gerards-iglesias-trade-and-cooperation-between-the-eu-and-the-gulf-states.html?utm_source=rssWed, 22 Jul 2026 15:11:24 +0200As the US celebrates a quarter of a millennium of independence, transatlantic trade relations stand at a crossroads. The year 2025 was marked by the introduction of unprecedented tariffs by the US administration. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/galina-kolev-schaefer-samina-sultan-transatlantic-trade-at-a-crossroads.html?utm_source=rssFri, 03 Jul 2026 08:36:00 +0200Whilst there has been much discussion about parental allowance (Elterngeld) in recent years, parental leave (Elternzeit) has been largely overlooked in the public eye. This is partly because very little is known about how it is taken up. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/wido-geis-thoene-use-of-parental-leave-by-mothers-and-fathers.html?utm_source=rssWed, 01 Jul 2026 14:39:00 +0200The ageing population in Germany is increasing pressure on the social insurance systems and will (in the future) exacerbate the shortage of skilled labour. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/ruth-maria-schueler-stefanie-seele-abolition-of-the-additional-earnings-limit-how-has-retirement-behavior-changed.html?utm_source=rssFri, 19 Jun 2026 09:30:00 +0200Global imbalances have increased over the past few years. This applies in particular to the latest increase in China's current account surplus, and to the higher current account deficit of the United States. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/juergen-matthes-gero-kunath-samina-sultan-global-imbalances-where-are-the-greatest-adjustment-burdens.html?utm_source=rssFri, 19 Jun 2026 08:15:00 +0200This Report gives an overview of the effective import tariff rates of the US on its most important trade partners in 2025 and the first months of 2026. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/samina-sultan-trumps-tariffs-a-deal-is-a-deal.html?utm_source=rssMon, 18 May 2026 12:10:00 +0200This report examines the interplay between migration and Germany’s housing market, combining a stock-taking of key market trends with an empirical assessment of representative household data (SOEP). https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/pekka-sagner-michael-voigtlaender-migration-and-housing-economic-effects-and-social-implications.html?utm_source=rssTue, 12 May 2026 12:08:00 +0200Just over four in ten employees subject to social security contributions believe that their own company will come under strong pressure to change due to environmental and climate protection regulations over the next five to ten years. https://preview.iwkoeln.de/en/studies/stefanie-seele-oliver-stettes-workplace-challenges-in-the-context-of-ecological-change-from-the-employees-perspective.html?utm_source=rssWed, 06 May 2026 08:42:00 +0200