
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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Working paper
07 July 2020
The impact economy: balancing profit and impact
Governments and companies can reinforce each other in their pursuit of sustainable development, which is based on three pillars: economic, social and
Policy brief
02 July 2020
The financial fragility of European households in the time of COVID-19
The concept of household financial fragility emerged in the United States after the 2007-2008 financial crisis. It grew out of the need to understand
Policy brief
30 June 2020
Six years after Ukraine’s Euromaidan: reforms and challenges ahead
Since the Euromaidan protests (2013-2014), Ukraine has had two presidents and four governments. In a difficult environment of external aggression, the
Policy brief
24 June 2020
Should Denmark and Sweden join the banking Union?
Though outside the euro area, Denmark and Sweden could benefit from joining the European Union’s banking union. It would provide protection in case of
Policy brief
22 June 2020
A new policy toolkit is needed as countries exit COVID-19 lockdowns
Most governments have taken measures to protect vulnerable workers and firms from the worst effects of the sudden drop in activity related to COVID-19
Working paper
15 June 2020
Occupational change, artificial intelligence and the geography of EU labour markets
From 2002 up to 2009, the economies of European Union countries went through a skill upgrading, rather than a polarisation between low-skill and high-
Policy brief
05 June 2020
Is the COVID-19 crisis an opportunity to boost the euro as a global currency?
The euro never challenged the US dollar, and its international status declined with the euro crisis. Faced with a US administration willing to use its
Policy brief
28 May 2020
COVID-19’s reality shock for external-funding dependent emerging economies
COVID-19 is by far the biggest challenge policymakers in emerging economies have had to deal with in recent history. Beyond the potentially large nega
Policy brief
20 May 2020
The European Central Bank in the COVID-19 crisis: whatever it takes, within its mandate
To keep the euro-area economy afloat, the European Central Bank has put in place a large number of measures since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis
Policy brief
13 May 2020
Rebooting Europe: a framework for a post COVID-19 economic recovery
COVID-19 has triggered a severe recession and policymakers in European Union countries are providing generous, largely indiscriminate, support to comp
Policy brief
13 May 2020
The European Union’s post-Brexit reckoning with financial markets
In the negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom over their future relationship, we see a high probability of a weak contractual
Policy brief
21 April 2020
Racing against COVID-19: a vaccines strategy for Europe
This Policy Contribution proposes a staged support scheme to tackle the COVID-19 vaccine challenge and a moon shot programme to meet the challenge of
Working paper
02 April 2020
Forecasting exchange rates of major currencies with long maturity forward rates
This paper presents unprecedented exchange rate forecasting results based upon a new model which approximates the gap between the fundamental equilibr
Policy brief
12 March 2020
An effective economic response to the Coronavirus in Europe
'Whatever it takes' needs to be the motto to preserve lives and reduce the impact on the economy of the epidemic.
Policy brief
05 March 2020
A European carbon border tax: much pain, little gain
The European Commission should not make the implementation of a carbon border adjustment mechanism into a must-have element of its climate policy. The
Policy brief
26 February 2020
How good is the European Commission’s Just Transition Fund proposal?
On 14 January 2020, the European Commission published its proposal for a Just Transition Mechanism, intended to provide support to territories facing