Christian Dustmann provided expert commentary to Table Briefings on Germany’s position in the international competition for highly qualified migrants. In the interview, he discussed the challenges and opportunities of skilled labor migration for the German economy.
Read ArticleZeit Online cited Christian Dustmann on Germany’s weakening export competitiveness, warning that declining global demand makes the current economic downturn more serious than past crises.
Read ArticleChristian Dustmann was cited in Handelsblatt, providing expert commentary on proposed labour market reforms, specifically the idea of loosening dismissal protections for higher earners.
Read ArticleFollowing the conflict in the Middle East, CReAM at RFBerlin published the report "Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon". This was widely covered by German media outlets quoting Christian Dustmann's findings.
Read ArticleIn a recent interview with the French weekly news magazine L’Express, Christian Dustmann spoke about migratory movements and immigration policies in Europe, suggesting that an ageing continent facing demographic change would do well to adopt a long-term approach – one that creates the conditions for immigrants and their children to fully integrate into European societies.
Read ArticleChristian Dustmann published a new RFBerlin Discussion paper with co-authors Sebastian Otten, Uta Schönberg & Jan Stuhler titled The Effects of Immigration on Places and People – Identification and Interpretation.
Find out moreChristian Dustmann published a new RFBerlin Discussion paper with co-authors Thomas Cornelissen & Uta Schönberg titled Knowledge Spillovers, Competition, and Individual Careers.
Find out moreIn a recent Neue Zürcher Zeitung article on the topic of migration in the UK, Dustmann noted that the current intensity of the issue in that country has a lot to do with the fact that right-wing populist parties like Reform UK have few substantive issues and therefore focus on migration. Dustmann noted that emphasising illegal immigration —which is relatively insignificant in terms of overall immigration— can fuel outrage in the UK, which is actually a “model example” of successful immigrant integration.
Read ArticleIn a recent Süddeutsche Zeitung article examining Germany’s current and impending labour shortage, Dustmann offered insights into how the German government might compensate for the country’s ever-increasing lack of workers. For example, Dustmann argued that it will be crucial to keep older employees in work for longer, with companies creating positions in which the experience of older workers can be utilised without age-related issues becoming a problem. He also suggested raising the age at which someone receives a full pension and eliminating the practice whereby employment contracts automatically end at retirement age. Among his other suggestions were increasing the number of women in full-time employment and encouraging a larger number of unemployed persons to return to working life.
Read ArticleSweden’s national public television broadcaster, SVT Sveriges Television, has featured Christian Dustmann in a segment on its Rapport program, discussing the global impact of Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. The segment, titled “Tesla Employee Testifies About Poor Working Conditions”, examines the working environment at Tesla and broader cultural tensions surrounding the company.
In his commentary, Dustmann explains how Elon Musk has become a commentary figure in multiple countries, often clashing with national labor norms and business cultures. He emphasizes that these tensions are not necessarily related to Tesla’s German plant but rather stem from fundamental differences in workplace culture between the U.S. and Europe. According to Dustmann, Musk’s approach to management and labor relations appears as unconventional and disruptive to many Europeans, just as European work culture might seem unusual or rigid from an American perspective.
The full program is available to watch on STV website. The segment on Tesla begins at 14 minutes, with Dustmann’s commentary starting at 16 minutes.
Watch nowThe German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) has published Christian Dustmann’s opinion piece “Gehen oder bleiben?” (Stay or Go?). The article discusses the pressing issue of Syrian refugees in Germany and Europe, particularly in light of ongoing debates surrounding integration and immigration policy.
Prof. Dustmann highlights the unique position of Germany, which has accepted over 800,000 Syrian refugees since 2015, making it the primary destination for Syrian asylum seekers in the EU. In 2024 alone, Germany processed over half of all asylum applications in the European Union. Dustmann emphasizes the importance of creating a clear and structured pathway to permanent residency for refugees who demonstrate successful integration into society and the labor market.
Learn MoreAn opinion piece titled "Et lyspunkt i mørket for den tyske bilindustri" ("A Bright Spot in the Dark for the German Automotive Industry") by Christian Dustmann and Jan Knuf was recently published in the Danish newspaper Dagbladet Børsen. In this article, the authors offer their perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing the German automotive industry. While acknowledging the industry's critical phase caused by the transition to electric vehicles and intensifying global competition, they highlight several reasons for optimism.
Read Article on Børsen Read Article on WELTChristian Dustmann’s statement on the European Central Bank’s recent interest rate cut has been recently highlighted in media. Describing the decision as a "welcome and important signal," Dustmann underscored its potential to support construction, investment, and the labor market, offering an important perspective on the ECB's move amid challenging economic conditions.
Capital Business Insider SternOn 2nd of December, Professor Dustmann appeared on Börse am Abend on Welt N24 with Katja Losch. He analysed the structural changes in the car industry driven by the transition to electric vehicles. He highlighted the challenges for Volkswagen and other German car manufacturers, especially in competing with China.
Dustmann explained how this transformation impacts both production structures and the labour market. He emphasized the importance of compromises between companies and unions to maintain competitiveness. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that the German automotive industry will remain successful in the long term.
Learn More“The lead through engineering is over” – Christian Dustmann and Jan Knuf on the Future of Germany’s Automotive Industry in WELT. The authors analyzed the challenges and opportunities facing Germany’s automotive industry amidst the ongoing shift toward electric vehicles.
Dustmann and Knuf highlighted the structural changes transforming the sector, noting that traditional strengths in mechanical engineering and combustion engine manufacturing are becoming less critical as value creation shifts to batteries and software. They emphasized that the current competitive edge lies in electro-chemical and digital expertise, areas where Germany has historically been less dominant.
Read ArticleThe recent comments by Christian Dustmann on the potential economic risks posed by Donald Trump’s anticipated trade policies have garnered widespread attention. First reported by Reuters, Dustmann’s remarks have been republished across a range of notable media outlets.
In his statement, Dustmann highlighted the vulnerabilities of Germany’s export-oriented economy to Trump’s protectionist agenda, noting: “The German economy is highly export-oriented and will therefore be particularly hard hit by the planned protectionist trade policies under Trump.” He also pointed out the possibility of the U.S. using tariffs as leverage against the EU to align its policies on China, putting Germany and the EU in a difficult position. The extensive media coverage underscores the relevance of Dustmann’s analysis, as Germany faces mounting challenges in an evolving global economic landscape.
Publications featuring the statement:
Reuters via MSN n-tv Germany Kronen Zeitung (in German) Kronen Zeitung (in English) Tagesspiegel Bankinfirmation Publisher Manger Magazinehe German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (F.A.Z.) featured insights from RFBerlin Director, Christian Dustmann, in an article examining the recent economic reform proposals by Germany’s Finance Minister, Christian Lindner. Professor Dustmann, as a leading labor market economist, emphasized the importance of fostering labor mobility to adapt to ongoing structural shifts in the German economy.
In his comments, Professor Dustmann expressed a balanced view: “I fully agree that work incentives need to be strengthened,” he noted, but added, “I would have liked to hear more about mobility in the labor market and how this could be promoted. Structural change in industry will lead to job losses in many areas, but will also create new jobs in others. To ease these transitions, there needs to be incentives and support for mobility, both geographically and through cross-occupational training.”
Read ArticleChristian Dustmann, has appeared on German news chanel n-tv as a labor market expert. He provided commentary on the latest developments at Volkswagen, particularly the recent announcement of plans to potentially close three plants in Germany and cut tens of thousands of jobs.
Watch nowIn the interview by FAS, Christian Dustamnn explores the complexities of current migration policies in Germany and Europe. The interview, conducted by journalists Patrick Bernau and Alexander Wulfers, explores the evolving landscape of migration, the inefficacy of recent government measures, and the future role of migration in shaping European prosperity.
Read ArticleThe German Radio program SWR Kultur’s Forum recently featured an insightful discussion with Professor Christian Dustmann, addressing the topic “Krise im Autoland – stockt der Jobmotor Autoindustrie?” (translated: “Crisis in Car Country – Is the Job Engine Running Out of Fuel?”).
Listen NowChristian Dustmann gave a mini-lecture on the Economics of Migration at the Nobel Week Dialogue
Christian Dustmann, Thomas Lemieux, David Autor, Ioana Marinescu, David Deming, and Kerwin K. Charles discuss the latest research in labor economics and contribute to a new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Vol. 5 and 6
Listen to podcastRefugee integration policies can lead to poorer integration outcomes | VoxEU Column summary of work by Jacob Arendt, Director Christian Dustmann, Research Associate Hyejin Ku
Read ArticleChristian Dustmann on the new research institute in Berlin
Listen to podcastThe Danish newspaper Weekendavisen covered work on neighbourhood gangs by Christian Dustmann, Mikkel Mertz and Anna Okatenko
Read ArticleVoxEU Columns summarises work by Director Christian Dustmann, Francesco Fasani, Xin Meng, Luigi Minale on Migration and households’ risk diversification
Read ArticleVoxEU Column summarises “Neighbourhood Gangs, Crime Spillovers” by Christian Dustmann, Mikkel Mertz and Anna Okatenko
Read ArticleTraining and the courage to change jobs pay off | FAZ discussion of work by Jérôme Adda and Christian Dustmann
Read ArticleChristian Dustmann has been included in the 2021 Handelsblatt “Top 100 German Research Economists” Ranking), being placed fourth overall.
More informationChristian Dustmann, Professor of Economics at UCL and Director of CReAM, has been elected a Fellow of the Econometrics Society
More informationChristian Dustmann is awarded the Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker Prize for 2020, for his research in the field of migration and the labour market. The Carl-Friedrich-von-Weizsäcker Prize by the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Stifterverband (Donors’ Association for German Science) is awarded for scientific contributions to socially important challenges. It is thus the German accolade for scientists in the field of science-based policy advice. Christian Dustmann is the first economist honored with this prize.
More informationThe introduction of the minimum wage for the first time in Germany in 2015 drove workers from smaller to larger and more productive businesses that pay higher wages, according to a new study by Christian Dustmann, Attila Lindner and Uta Schönberg, and IAB's Matthias Umkehrer and Philipp vom Berge.
Press Release Discussion Paper UCL News Financial Times Le Figaro DWChristian Dustmann discussing with panelists David Autor (MIT) and Caroline Freund (World Bank) on Trade, Outsourcing and Foreign Investment at the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) conference in Washington, DC. (session starts at 6:35:00)
Research by Christian Dustmann and Thomas Cornelissen finds that boys from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit most from early schooling, helping to narrow the skills gap (60-80%) with boys from high socio-economic backgrounds.
Press Release Tes The Indepedent The Times UCL NewsResearch by Christian Dustmann and co-authors finds that changes in housing expenditures dramatically exacerbated the rise in income inequality in Germany since the mid-1990s. The research was covered on the German press.
Press Release Discussion Paper VoxEU FAZ UCL NewsProfessor Dustmann on the BBC Radio 4 progrmme Brexit: A Love Story? discussing the 2003 report on EU accession.
Christian Dustmann, Thomas Cornelissen, Anna Raute and Uta Schönberg, find that attending universal childcare from age three significantly improves the school readiness of children from immigrant and disadvantaged family backgrounds.
Press Release iNews UCL News FAZ VoxEU Discussion PaperChristian Dustmann and Rasmus Landersø, find that very young fathers who have their first child while they are still teenagers subsequently commit less crime if the child is a boy than if it is a girl. This then has a spill over effect on other young men of a similar age living in the same neighbourhoods as the young father.
Press Release Discussion Paper The Telegraph The Times VoxEUChristian Dustmann discusses the achievements and shortcomings of Germany’s refugee integration policy on the BBC World Service Programme My Perfect Country: Germany.
"I was quite prepared... to use the cover of the statistician's analysis": Former home secretary David Blunkett and Christian Dustmann on the 2003 report on EU accession on BBC 2's 'Billion Dollar Deals and How They Changed Your World'.
Column on VoxEU on 'Why single-sex schools are more successful'.
Read More More MediaChristian Dustmann ranked within the top 3 German speaking economists on the 2017 Handelsblatt ranking.
Read More More MediaIn the first report in CEPR's Monitoring International Integration series, Europe's Trust Deficit: Causes and Remedies, we analyse the roots of the decline in trust in both national and European political institutions, as reflected in the rise of populist politics.
VoxEU article summarising the report
Audio interview with Christian Dustmann & Barry Eichengreen
Christian Dustmann's research quoted on the Economists' article 'The good and bad in Germany’s economic model are strongly linked'.
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