Inclusive economy
Explore the changing nature of work, what it means for job quality and wellbeing as well as the impact of technology on jobs.
The project on the Future of Work and Inclusive Growth marked its first anniversary in 2021. The project team closely analysed the impact of technology on the nature, quantity and quality of work, welfare systems and inclusive growth at large. That included exploring the role of technology and AI in reshaping society, particularly when subject to extreme stress (eg during a pandemic), and considering those who have been most affected by these forces in the short and long terms.
Our researchers also started a transatlantic expert exchange on the topic of the future of work, in order to feed into current and future EU-US policy dialogues and to develop policy ideas to address challenges related to the future of work. Moreover, we have continued to look into the issues of convergence and divergence within the EU single market, with a particular focus on identifying how the process of convergence itself links to greater inclusiveness of the different segments of society across the EU.
Recently published and updated
AI: The United States and China compete for the top spot, while the EU looks on
European natural gas demand tracker
Tracking monthly natural gas demand by country and the EU as a whole, with a breakdown of the power, industry and household sectors where possible
China’s Tech Stocks Are Falling Despite Their Own Breakthroughs
India needs lasting reforms to attract foreign capital, not stopgaps
China economic database
Repository of what we consider to be the most relevant macroeconomic data for China and EU-China relations.
Europe watches AI from the sidelines
International carbon trading: a strategic lever to boost global decarbonisation
International carbon credits can support the EU’s 2040 target if buyers’ club rules and leverage ensure real mitigation gains abroad
Europe's search for profitable investment should lead to India
Future of Work and Inclusive Growth in Europe
A long-lasting European research-to-action project, in collaboration with the Mastercard Impact Fund and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.
Discover the projectPublications
A plan for a World Trade Organization sectoral agreement on semiconductors
Trade weaponisation is straining WTO rules, but a semiconductor pact could show how to manage security risks
A sober look at the case for common European Union debt
More EU debt will not lower public borrowing costs or deepen markets without fiscal-union features, permanent issuance and credible fiscal backstops
Beyond tariffs: why Europe and India must prioritise investment into manufacturing
Competing for inputs: how the European Union can improve critical raw materials supply security
EU critical raw materials projects fall short of self-sufficiency targets, making trade deals and targeted investment central to supply security
European Union capital requirements on megabanks: the low road or the high road
EU megabanks are not facing crippling US competitive pressure, making fragmentation, regulatory complexity and crisis response the real priorities
Artificial-intelligence competition in Europe: the role of DMA Article 6(7)
The DMA’s Android AI access rules could curb Google’s advantage, opening Europe’s AI market to rivals and strengthening innovation incentives
Transatlantic Expert Group on the Future of Work
Promoting the exchange of views and best practices in the area of the future of work that can feed current and future EU-US policy dialogue.
Explore the projectBruegel Blog
The fiscal side of Europe’s energy crisis: the facts, problems and prospects
Europe needs to move beyond emergency fiscal responses and focus on structural changes to allow the EU to accelerate its decoupling from fossil fuels.
Is Europe failing on import diversification?
Despite a goal of economic self-reliance, the European Union’s imports are generally sourced from an increasingly limited set of suppliers.
The difficulty of designating gatekeepers under the EU Digital Markets Act
The European Commission should be more precise and transparent when designating gatekeepers under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Europe’s half a million barrels per day diesel supply question
A new European Union embargo on Russian oil products should not affect EU diesel supplies and prices, but could encourage re-routing by Russia.
Web3: the next internet revolution
Tokenisation based on blockchain technology could bring radical changes to markets for goods and services.
Has the Digital Markets Act got it wrong on app stores?
The app-store obligations in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act are unlikely to weaken the market power of Apple and Google.
Understanding barriers and resistance to training in the European Union
People with less education are also less able and willing to participate in training; understanding why is essential to prevent a widening skill gap.
If it doesn’t trade, is it really marketable debt?
Europe’s bond markets are essential infrastructure, just like the power grid.
How to fix the European Union’s proposed Data Act
The proposed EU Data Act on industrial and non-personal data should be simpler and clearer, or the benefits could be limited.
Do financial markets consider European common debt a safe asset?
The interest rate on European Union bonds is now almost as high as that of supposedly riskier Spanish bonds; this risks defeating their purpose.
The ‘anywhere’ jobs are not everywhere – they’re in cities
Given new remote working arrangements, online gigs can be completed in the lowest-cost locations; they’re mainly done by workers in large cities.
Will the European Union price cap on Russian oil work?
The G7 Russian oil price cap is an ambitious but untested instrument. While pitfalls exist, the cap has the potential to be the most potent sanction.
The European Commission's fiscal rules proposal: a bold plan with flaws that can be fixed
The European Commission’s proposal for reforming the EU fiscal rules is far-reaching, but its shortcomings need to be addressed.
Does inflation hit the poor hardest everywhere?
Low-income households suffer most from high inflation, but in some European Union countries the inflation burden is felt more equally than others.
To cap or not to cap: the deal Europe needs on energy prices
An EU gas price cap would be counterproductive, but the reasons why it is supported widely must be acknowledged and addressed.
With a little help from some friends: coordinating Digital Markets Act enforcement
Digital Markets Act enforcement will be much more effective if EU member national authorities are involved
Success at COP27 will be defined by progress on climate finance and ‘loss and damage’
COP27 should create the basis of a global loss-and-damage fund to help vulnerable countries already suffering from climate disasters.
Beyond the training gap: learning foundational skills on the job
Low-skilled workers tend to have jobs that are less likely to foster foundational skills. This worsens skills gaps and income inequality.
Is globalisation really doomed?
Globalisation is under attack; to preserve its benefits, healthy domestic social contracts are essential.
European Union fiscal rules: is a better system feasible?
EU countries seem to be converging on a set of reform objectives. But can these be jointly satisfied? Two recent proposals offer some hope.