The Institute for Applied Economic Research, located in Tübingen, Germany, is an independent research institute at the University of Tübingen. The IAW’s objective is
to apply economic and social research to issues relating to the private and public economy. Its scientific work contributes to the empirical basis for economic policymaking.
IAW-News 4/2025 (in German)
A recent study by the IAW analyses developments in training and traces changes in the training practices of companies in Baden-Württemberg in recent years. It also examines the reasons why training places remain unfilled.
A recent study by the IAW analyses continuing education in companies in Baden-Württemberg. It not only looks at companies' participation in continuing education, but also examines how continuing education activities differ between genders and between specific qualification levels.
A relatively large number of unemployed people who receive citizen's income are not looking for work, or at least not continuously. This is shown by a new study conducted by the IAW and the SOKO Institute on behalf of the Bertelsmann Foundation, for which a random sample of approximately 1,000 citizen's income recipients were surveyed. Of these, 57 per cent stated that they had not looked for a job themselves in the past four weeks.
There are many reasons why people do not look for work. Health restrictions, lack of qualifications, childcare problems and lack of financial incentives are widespread among those surveyed.
In addition to the efforts of the benefit recipients themselves, job offers and other support provided by job centres are also examined. The study formulates a series of recommendations for action on how to better provide support and assistance to the unemployed to help them help themselves.
Report "Jobsuche im Bürgergeld"
A recent study by the IAW for the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany examines existing differences in wealth accumulation between eastern and western Germany, as well as in the use of state subsidies for wealth accumulation. The further development of existing subsidy instruments can contribute to reducing wealth inequality between eastern and western Germany.
In the following, you will receive an overview of the individual subjects. For more information please click on the topic of interest.
In this field of research, IAW mainly focuses on impact analyses and process-accompanying evaluations of various labor market policies. Another research topic are the effects of legal regulations on the labor market.
Demographic change, the shortage of skilled workers and the increasing inequality of market incomes are central challenges for the social security system. Our research focuses on poverty and wealth, social mobility, rehabilitation and retirement, and working conditions in care.
Research on education issues is an important field of research at the IAW. The focus is on the transition between school and work, on the development of training and further education, on digitization processes in the education sector and on the returns to education.
The IAW feels closely connected to the state of Baden-Württemberg and its economic and social development. In many research projects, we examine current challenges, opportunities and risks of companies and employees in different industries and regions of Baden-Württemberg.
We investigate the significance of international trade and migration for incomes and employment in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the German economy. The focus of our research lies in trade agreements as well as European Integration on goods and factor markets.
Due to demographic change, the topics of migration and integration will gain in importance in the future. Quantitative questions becoming increasingly important for the national economy, e.g. forms of managing immigration and the attractiveness for potential migrants, while qualitative questions may treat about criteria for successful integration.