DIW Weekly Report

Cannabis Use Largely Stable Following Partial Legalization; Cocaine Use Has Been on the Rise for Several Years

Two years after the partial legalization of cannabis, this Weekly Report examines current developments in the German cannabis and other illicit drug markets. The analysis is based on police crime statistics, survey data, wastewater data, and price information. The number of recorded cannabis and drug offenses declined noticeably in 2024, primarily reflecting a statistical effect. Regarding cannabis ...

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Local Market Prices Can Reduce Electricity Costs

With the liberalization of the electricity markets in 1998, Germany opted for a single, nationwide wholesale price. Regional differences in supply and demand are not taken into account. In the event of grid congestion, electricity generators are paid to adjust their output. This leads to rising costs, an overestimation of grid expansion requirements and increased bureaucracy. Reforms are therefore ...

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German Economy on the Upswing - Global Economy Continues to Grow Moderately

After three years of subdued economic activity, the German economy is on the road to recovery. While the Iran war and erratic U.S. trade policy are weighing on growth, their impact is only moderate. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that U.S. tariffs are unlawful, this does not change the tariff rates imposed on German exports, as the agreement with the European Union is assumed to remain in ...

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Social Media: Population Favors Regulation—but Ban Only for Those up to the Age of 12

Social media usage by children and young people is an increasingly controversial topic. The focus is on risks, opportunities, and possible regulations. Politicians from all relevant parties are now open to a social media ban up to a certain age; the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has set up a commission of experts. Based on a short survey in the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), conducted in September ...

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Electric Mobility in Germany: Untapped Potential

A rapid transition from combustion engines to electric vehicles is essential for climate protection in road transport. This report highlights current trends in electric mobility in Germany based on data from the Open Energy Tracker platform. Although new registrations of electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles have recently increased, overall, electric mobility is still developing slowly. Newly ...

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Nuclear Fusion Research Shifts Focus: Commercial Niche Products instead of Energy Promises

Nuclear fusion research shifts focus: commercial niche products instead of energy generation. Nuclear fusion, in which atomic nuclei are fused, promises clean, safe, and virtually inexhaustible energy. Since the 1950s, this promise has justified extensive public investment in research, without any real progress being made toward commercial use in the energy sector. However, nuclear fusion research ...

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Construction Industry Returns to Growth

Following five years of crisis, construction output will grow in real terms again in 2026, increasing by 1.7 percent. Next year, growth could reach nearly 3.5 percent. Public construction is driving this recovery. Real public construction volume is expected to grow by 6.7 percent in both 2026 and 2027. The reason for this strong expansion is the gradual increase in spending from the Special Fund for ...

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Women on the Executive and Supervisory Boards of Large Companies: The Upward Trend of Recent Years Has Largely Stalled

The proportion of women on the executive and supervisory boards of Germany's largest companies has risen considerably since data collection for the DIW Women Executives Barometer began 20 years ago. While it was just over one percent on the executive boards of Germany's 200 highest-revenue companies in 2006, it is now around 19 percent. The proportion of women on supervisory boards in the top 200 group ...

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Favorable Conditions Allow Accelerating the Renewabe Energy Transition

Germany’s current government is planning to realign its energy transition. Against this backdrop, this report provides an overview of current developments in key technologies and indicators for flexibility in the electricity sector. For photovoltaics, growth appears to be leveling off, especially for rooftop installations. Onshore wind power continues to lag its target path, but this gap could close ...

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The Era of Ever-Larger Dwellings in Germany Is Coming to an End

Over the past 150 years, living space consumption has increased significantly—in Germany from less than half a room to almost two rooms per capita. The average living space per person more than doubled between 1956 and 2024, reaching 49.2 square meters. Rising incomes enabled the construction of ever larger dwellings which led to improved living conditions. Today, the majority of people live in spacious ...

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