Bruegel Blog
Timely analysis on the latest developments in economic policy. The Blog is a point of reference for policymakers, influencers and journalists.
Recently published
Closing the gender gap for self-employed women in the European Union
Self-employed women are at a wealth disadvantage, according to ECB household finance data, and thus have more to gain from policies that spur saving.
What role for China in the global refining crunch?
Despite high prices, China’s substantial spare oil refining capacity remains restricted.
A possible G7 price cap on Russian oil: issues at stake
A price cap on Russian oil might improve the current western sanctions regime, but effectiveness will depend on the west’s willingness
Can working solo be good for entrepreneurs?
The self-employed are a diverse group, but they can help us better understand the drivers of well-being at work and help design better policies.
European Union demand reduction needs to cope with Russian gas cuts
Without Russian gas, the European Union would have to reduce demand by approximately 15%, with big differences between different parts of Europe
Blog post
15 June 2021
The Conference on the Future of Europe: vehicle for reform versus forum for reflection?
The approach of the European Union’s institutions to the Conference on the Future of Europe is muddled, with risks for the outcome.
Blog post
14 June 2021
The socio-economic consequences of COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa
Confronted with COVID-19, high-income Gulf countries have done better than most of their middle- and low-income neighbours; Jordan and Morocco are als
Blog post
10 June 2021
The coming productivity boom
AI and other digital technologies have been surprisingly slow to improve economic growth. But that could be about to change.
Blog post
09 June 2021
Inflation!? Germany, the euro area and the European Central Bank
There is concern in Germany about rising prices, but expectations and wage data show no sign of excess pressures; German inflation should exceed 2% to
Blog post
07 June 2021
Quo vadis, Swiss-European Union relations?
Switzerland’s decision to abandon talks on a framework agreement with the European Union will have far reaching consequences. The outline of future re
Blog post
01 June 2021
Banks in a net-zero Europe
A net-zero emissions target is a powerful incentive for the low-carbon transition, but for bank supervisors, climate-related risks, not climate outcom
Blog post
31 May 2021
What Swiss voters expect to happen next, after EU talks fail
Proponents and opponents of the Swiss-EU institutional framework agreement have different takes on the impact of a success or failure of the agreement
Blog post
31 May 2021
For the climate, Asia-Pacific must phase out fossil-fuel subsidies
An exit from coal in the Asia-Pacific region is a global decarbonisation priority.
Blog post
28 May 2021
Emergency Liquidity Assistance: A new lease of life or kiss of death?
Use of Emergency Liquidity Assistance to prop up euro-area banks needs to be more transparent; available evidence suggests its use has not always been
Blog post
27 May 2021
International tax debate moves from digital focus to global minimum
International corporate tax reform is coming closer if countries can set aside their differences and work for progress rather than the perfect deal.
Blog post
11 May 2021
Pandemic leadership: beware of anecdotes
Leaders with science training have not outperformed other leaders in terms of their countries’ coronavirus responses - nor have women or populists.
Blog post
06 May 2021
Algorithmic management is the past, not the future of work
Algorithmic management is the twenty-first century’s scientific management. Job quality measures should be included explicitly in health and safety ri
Blog post
04 May 2021
China’s M&A activity rebounds with a clear focus on Europe
Despite the pandemic, China’s interest in overseas M&A started to rebound in late 2020, with European industrial companies still of particular interes
Blog post
29 April 2021
Setting Europe’s economic recovery in motion: a first look at national plans
Plans for spending European Union recovery funds submitted by the four largest EU countries reflect rather different priorities. So far, only Italy is
Blog post
28 April 2021
Confronting the risks: corporate debt in the wake of the pandemic
As European economies emerge from lockdowns, it is becoming clearer that corporate debt has reached critical levels. A new French scheme, in which the
Blog post
27 April 2021
Vaccine diplomacy: soft power lessons from China and Russia?
The rocky start to the European Union’s vaccination rollout has allowed Moscow and Beijing to score political points in the Balkans and Central and Ea