-
Press Release
The SOEP’s Barometer of Public Opinion on Refugees in Germany examines the population’s attitudes, expectations, and fears—most respondents supported the rights of refugees to remain in the country in accordance with EU law and the 1951 Refugee Convention—but the majority are in favor of refugees returning if the situation improves in their country of origin
The majority of ...
25.05.2016
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin conducted two studies on developments in energy supply – private utilities no more efficient than public utilities – consolidation in drinking water sector offers little benefit
More and more cities and municipalities in Germany are once again taking the electricity, gas, and heating utilities into their own hands: between 2003 and 2012, the number of public utilities increased ...
20.05.2016
-
Press Release
Please note: this is a corrected version of the original press release.
DIW Berlin study compares proportion of middle-class individuals over time in Germany and US - share declining in both countries - average income has dropped since 2000
The middle class in both the US and Germany is on the decline: according to a study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), the ...
06.05.2016
-
Press Release
Correction to the press release from May 6, 2016
Please note: The original version of Wochenbericht 18, which compares the decline of the middle class in Germany and with that of the United States, contained a calculation error that came about while adjusting standard German reference values to the basis used by the reference study for the US. We apologize for the oversight.
We have ...
06.05.2016
-
Press Release
DIW study: in several European countries prior to 2010, between 27 and 40 percent of households received inheritances or gifts – German tax policy regarding inheritances and gifts riddled with exceptions
High-income individuals are more likely to inherit wealth than are low-income individuals; they also receive significantly larger amounts. Those from privileged social backgrounds are also able ...
03.05.2016
-
Press Release
Current corporate investment levels hardly surpass pre-crisis levels – Experts Commission’s recommendations for strengthening investment still relevant – additional tax incentives should be considered
Businesses in Germany are still investing too little in their manufacturing facilities. As a new study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) reveals, ...
22.04.2016
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin claims that the US Federal Reserve’s decision to end its zero interest-rate policy has not caused turbulence in financial markets
According to a recent analysis conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), the interest rate lift-off introduced by the US Federal Reserve at the end of last year has not led to distortions in the financial markets. Financing costs ...
15.04.2016
-
Press Release
Greater transparency of the national banks of the euro area would strengthen Eurosystem credibility. The allegation that the European Central Bank (ECB) is engaging in illegal monetary financing under the guise of ANFA (Agreement on Net Financial Assets) seems to be unfounded—there is simply no evidence for it, claims the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) based on their ...
29.03.2016
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin’s forecast: GDP to rise by 1.6 percent in 2016 – robust labor market, wage increases, and refugee expenditure fueling consumption – investment and global economy inhibiting growth
According to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), the German economy is expected to grow by 1.6 percent this year, despite a gloomy global economy. This prognosis is similar ...
16.03.2016
-
Press Release
SOEP special analysis for International Women's Day (March 8) reveals that the gender-based division of household labor persists – DIW Research Director Elke Holst calls for stronger, fairer division of unpaid work in the household among couples – a family working-time benefits model (Familienarbeitszeit) and daycare expansion would also support this development
On average, women in dual-income ...
07.03.2016
-
Press Release
One out of every three workers would prefer to work from home, but only one out of every eight actually does – Germany’s proportion of home workers lags behind that of other European countries – home workers are more satisfied with their jobs – reconciling career and family is not the primary motive
In Germany, only twelve percent of all employees work primarily or even partially ...
29.02.2016
-
Press Release
European Central Bank (ECB) supports prices, economic activity, and inflation expectations through unconventional measures both in the euro area as a whole and in Germany - but the measures are likely to raise wealth inequality in the short termThe ECB’s ultra-loose monetary policy aimed at easing the financial and debt crisis is making an impact. Prices and GDP have been shored up and inflation ...
17.02.2016
-
Press Release
Proportion of tutored students nearly twice as high as 15 years ago – household income becoming a less influential factor – parental migration background no longer determines participation – nevertheless, educational inequalities persist
More and more schoolchildren in Germany are using private tutoring: 47 percent of the 17-year-olds who were interviewed between 2009 and 2013 reported ...
10.02.2016
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin experts estimate annual value of inheritances and gifts to be between 200 and 300 billion euros – high levels of inequality due to heavy concentration of wealth and largely tax-free transfers of big businesses – experts recommend reducing tax privileges and imposing limited tax rates for business transfers
In 2009, tax privileges for transfers of businesses were expanded; the ...
01.02.2016
-
Press Release
Researchers analyzed more than 500 companies – some are setting a good example, while others are lagging behind – vast majority of companies have yet to meet the 30-percent quota for women on supervisory boards
A balanced representation of women and men in Germany’s corporate leadership roles is still a long way off: At the end of 2015, the proportion of women on the executive boards ...
20.01.2016
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin’s economic forecast: GDP growth will remain stable over the next two years – domestic economy benefiting from favorable labor market situation and expenditure on asylum seekers – public sector has surpluses, but margins are tightening The German economy is expected to continue in its upward growth over the next two years: According to the latest economic forecasts from ...
17.12.2015
-
Press Release
DIW Berlin’s construction volume calculations: construction industry remains a key pillar of the German economy—need for action in energy-efficient refurbishment and in accommodating refugees
The construction industry remains a key pillar of the German economy: buildings worth a total of around 338 billion euros will have been constructed or modernized in Germany by the end of this year—2.7 ...
02.12.2015
-
Press Release
Photovoltaics and wind power can replace nuclear power – DIW Berlin’s energy experts maintain that a nuclear power renaissance is neither sensible nor necessary – financing for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the search for a final storage should be secured through public funds
Europe’s climate protection goals will not be endangered if existing nuclear power ...
18.11.2015
-
Press Release
DIW economists simulate various scenarios based on different assumptions – in every projected scenario, investment pays off in the longer term – successful integration will increase per capita income of Germany’s current population
The recent influx of refugees has created enormous challenges for politicians and society at large - but according to a simulation conducted by economists ...
12.11.2015
-
Press Release
Russian economy suffering due to weaker local currency – depreciation of the ruble primarily due to the drop in oil prices, not to sanctions
Since 2014, the ruble has fallen by more than 50 percent against the U.S. dollar—and this devaluation is putting the Russian economy under pressure. A study conducted by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) has concluded that the ...
29.10.2015