Topics
Bruegel researchers tackle a range of economic topics and issues, grouped across wider topics which cover the breadth of our expertise.
Through publications, events, social media, and a lively blog, Bruegel has carved a unique discussion space for everyone interested in improving the quality of economic policy. Through a dual focus on analysis and impact, and dynamic relationships with policymakers at every governance level, it has also established itself as a vibrant laboratory for economic policies.
Explore some of the hot topics in economic policy below:
Climate change
The role of competition in the transition to climate neutrality
The transition to climate neutrality requires the reallocation of production factors from polluting activities to non-polluting activities.
How can the European Union adapt to climate change?
A stronger adaptation governance framework would benefit adaptation efforts.
Energy
Europe Needs a Grand Bargain on Energy
Why a “Go It Alone” Approach Will Leave Countries in the Cold This Winter
Europe needs energy solidarity — not a North-South rift
The bloc must urgently implement a compensation scheme to prevent Putin from dividing member countries.
An individual tax on fuel consumption is an effective, flexible and sustainable solution to combat inflation
COVID-19
COVID-19 in the European Union: health impacts and effects on economic activity
What matters when it comes to managing the pandemic is to prevent intensive-care admissions and deaths arising from COVID-19.
COVID-19 and the shift to remote work
Hybrid arrangements in which part of the week is spent at the office, and part at home, are likely to become the norm.
Ukraine
Ukraine and what it means for European Union enlargement
The real issue for EU leaders when they discuss Ukraine’s application at a 23-24 June summit and beyond, is what kind of club the EU should be.
Xi, Biden switching strategies for dominance
The US now sees Asia more through an economic lens, while China shifts toward a security focus
Does the war in Ukraine call for a new Next Generation EU?
The European Union should take significant economic measures in response to the war in Ukraine, but a new Next Generation EU is not needed yet.
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Policy brief
07 June 2021
Europe should not neglect its capital markets union
The European Union’s capital markets remain very underdeveloped compared to the United States. The market for equity, as measured as the size of the t
Policy brief
26 May 2021
How difficult is China's business environment for European and American companies?
Contrary to some narratives, China's business practices have improved, with a business environment that is generally more favourable than that in othe
Policy brief
20 May 2021
The great COVID-19 divergence: managing a sustainable and equitable recovery in the European Union
Policymakers must act to prevent lasting divergence within the EU and to prevent scarring from the fallout from the pandemic.
Working paper
10 May 2021
Research and innovation policies and productivity growth
Can research and innovation policies power growth? The answer currently can only be a timid yes.
Working paper
04 May 2021
Reducing mobility of SARS-CoV-2 variants to safeguard containment
Escape variants can cause new waves of COVID-19 and put vaccination strategies at risk. To prevent or delay the global spread of these waves, virus mo
Policy brief
03 May 2021
Accounting for climate policies in Europe’s sovereign debt market
Sovereign debt will be vital in stimulating sustainable investment, but information is lacking on how green public spending actually is.
Policy brief
13 April 2021
Is the European Union’s investment agreement with China underrated?
The European Union-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment binds Chinese liberalisation of its foreign investment regulations under an internation
Policy brief
31 March 2021
Navigating through hydrogen
Policymakers must address the need to displace carbon-intensive hydrogen with low-carbon hydrogen, and incentivise the uptake of hydrogen as a means t
Working paper
30 March 2021
The unequal inequality impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Less-educated workers have suffered most from job losses in the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is quite likely there was a significant increase in European
Working paper
23 March 2021
Interest in European matters: a glass three-quarters full?
Everything that increases the interest of European citizens in the EU, independently of whether it has a critical or a supportive character, will serv
Policy brief
10 March 2021
Low interest rates in Europe and the US: one trend, two stories
Interest rates have been on a long-term decline, associated with declining productivity growth. To tackle this, the priorities are to reduce market co
Policy brief
09 March 2021
A whole-economy carbon price for Europe and how to get there
Putting carbon pricing at the centre of the EU climate policy architecture would provide major benefits. Obtaining these benefits requires a uniform,
Working paper
02 March 2021
Talking about Europe: exploring 70 years of news archives
This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of Europe as reflected in European media.
Working paper
24 February 2021
COVID-19 credit-support programmes in Europe’s five largest economies
This paper assesses COVID-19 credit-support programmes in five of the largest European economies, and examines how countries have dealt with trade-off
Policy brief
23 February 2021
China’s state-owned enterprises and competitive neutrality
The concept of competitive neutrality can be used to assess how far a market is from being a competitive environment. In China, competitive neutrality
Working paper
04 February 2021
European Union cohesion project characteristics and regional economic growth
A new approach, which estimates 'unexplained economic growth', provides insights into the types of European Union cohesion projects that produce bette