The Research Unit Microdata and Distribution bundles knowledge for microdata analysis and helps with data-related and methodological questions within the IW. The focus of the cooperation cluster's work is the analysis of personal and household survey data. For this purpose, representative secondary data such as the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) are used, but also own online surveys are developed and implemented.
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Dr. Judith Niehues
Head of Micro Data and Distribution Research Unit
Tel: +49 221 4981-768 Mail: niehues@iwkoeln.deAll news

Rising social security contributions weigh on competitiveness
Germany is suffering from a loss of international competitiveness. Revitalising economic growth therefore not only requires a sustainable change of economic policy. Even in the short term, measures must be taken to revitalise public and private investment in Germany.
Michael Hüther / Thomas Obst / Jochen Pimpertz IW

An agenda for more private investment
Germany has a massive lack of investment, which dampens productivity, thereby reducing economic growth and increasingly endangering prosperity.
Markus Demary / Tobias Hentze / Jasmina Kirchhoff / Michael Voigtländer IW

IW Distribution Report 2024: Current trends and challenges for distribution policy
The coronavirus pandemic, the energy price crisis and the associated high inflation rates have left their marks. The fall in real wages up to the beginning of 2023 has offset some of the real wage growth of previous years: on average for 2023, the real wage index was at the same level as in 2015.
Judith Niehues / Maximilian Stockhausen IW

Agenda 2030 for pension policy: Guidelines for the 21st legislative period and beyond
In Germany, first cohorts of the baby boomer generation are about to enter regular or early retirement. This threatens a decline in labour supply on the one hand and an increase in expenditure for pensions, healthcare and long-term care on the other.
Jochen Pimpertz IW

Employment shortly before and after retirement
As a result of demographic trends, around a quarter of all employees in the mechanical engineering sector are expected to retire in the next ten years. This corresponds to more than 296,000 people.
Andrea Hammermann / Jochen Pimpertz / Oliver Stettes IW
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