Economic and Social Affairs

Economic and Social Affairs

Our services cover the analysis and projections of macroeconomic data for decision-makers of public and private organisations. The projects of the division comprise the following Research Areas: Business Cycle, Economic Acitivities and International Trade, Labour Market, Health and Long-term Care and Demographic and Socioeconomic Development.

Our work is based on the macroeconomic modelling of empirical data from official statistics on a national as well as a regional level.

Energy and Climate

Energy and Climate

We work on a broad range of energy, climate and environmental economy and policy issues.

The spectrum of our activities encompasses applied basic research, development of scenarios and forecasts, analysis of policy measures and political and business consultancy.

Global Developments and Resources

Global Developments and Resources

At the heart of the department’s analytical work is the multi-regional input-output simulation model GINFORS model. The model permits wide-ranging ex ante as well as ex post simulation studies, particularly on globally-relevant topics in areas such as global developments and resource use. In the satellite accounts field, we also set up additional econometric data systems for specific interdisciplinary social fields, such as sport.

Our figure of the month 5/2026

Quality over quantity – the felling of damaged timber in Germany is falling at a disproportionately high rate

According to figures from the Federal Statistical Office, timber harvesting in Germany fell by 6.4% in 2025 compared with the previous year, to around 57.3 million m³. This marks a continuation of the trend observed since 2022. Taking into account that the decline in felling due to forest damage was disproportionately ...

Our figure of the month

Publications

Visit our publications portal. Here you can view and download over 800 publications.

All Publications

New reports or discussion paper, ongoing projects and the latest developments – find out about GWS news here