How Reliable is the Research Backing Public Policy?
Policymakers rely on scientific evidence to inform complex decisions. But what if the underlying research is flawed? Summarizing one of the largest verification studies to date, this Policy Brief finds that full replicability of publications from leading economics and political science journals has improved from 59% in 2014 to 85% in 2026 – driven largely by the introduction of mandatory data-sharing policies and data editors. Even so, challenges remain: one in four statistically significant findings is not robust to reasonable alternative specifications, and coding errors are frequently missed.
Latest EconPol News
Government Actions During Energy Crises Damage the Climate
Government relief measures during energy crises primarily benefit fossil fuels and therefore have a negative climate impact, as a new study by EconPol Europe shows. According to the study, the relief packages – in the form of tax cuts, price caps, or direct payments – during the crisis years 2022 and 2023 on average across the EU-27 amount to a permanent subsidy of roughly EUR 18 per metric ton of CO2 for natural gas and EUR 10 for oil.
New Free Trade Agreements May Increase Industrial Production in the EU by up to 1.1%
Finalization of the ongoing EU free trade negotiations could boost the economy in the EU and offset the negative effects of US tariffs. That’s according to a study by EconPol Europe. Depending on the level of detail in the new trade agreements, value added in industry would permanently increase by up to 1.1% and European economic output by 0.43%.
Rethinking Industrial Policy for European Tech Sovereignty
At a side event held alongside the Munich Security Conference, economists and policy experts discussed the role of industrial policy in advancing European technological sovereignty and strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity in a changing geopolitical environment. The panel featured Oliver Falck, Svenja Falk, Clemens Fuest, Daniel Gros, and Fiona Murray. The debate highlighted the growing interdependence between security policy, technological leadership, and economic competitiveness. Video recordings of the panel discussion and short expert interviews are available on the conference website.
EconPol Newsletter 03/2026
Europe’s workforce is caught in a paradox: technological change and AI threaten to displace jobs, while an aging population is creating shortages of young talent. Meanwhile, rising energy prices are placing additional jobs at risk. In this newsletter we revisit past technological revolutions to draw cautionary lessons for today's debates and examine how relief measures aimed at curbing fossil fuel prices may affect Europe’s pursuit of strategic energy autonomy. We also provide a preview of our upcoming annual conference on the future of work.
Current Publications
EconPol Forum 02/2026: The Transformative Potential of AI: Implications for Work, Firms, and Trade
Can artificial intelligence (AI) revive the long-declining productivity of European firms and boost the continent's economic growth? How well are EU economies positioned to leverage AI while mitigating risks such as job displacement and algorithmic collusion? The answers largely depend on the business ecosystem, the speed of adoption, and – ultimately – balanced regulation and policy: Upskilling workers, strengthening digital infrastructure, and deepening the EU single market are some of the priorities discussed in this Forum.
Fiscal Drag in Europe: Key Facts
Global Europe 2.0 – The Economic Potential of New EU Trade Agreements in an Era of US Protectionism
EconPol Forum
EconPol Forum (formerly CESifo Forum) is a quarterly English-language journal to bring economic analysis on topics of worldwide interest along with policy advice to a broad range of policymakers and the public.
EconPol Policy Briefs
EconPol Policy Briefs are short articles providing key findings of policy-related studies and policy implications from recent policy relevant economic research. Grounded in evidence-based insights, the Policy Briefs discuss current topics in economic and fiscal policy within a wide range of specific areas of expertise.
EconPol Policy Reports
EconPol Policy Reports conduct comprehensive economic analysis on current European economic and fiscal policy issues, fostering a deeper understanding of European economic development and the implications of policy measures. The reports provide valuable insights into policy scenarios and the impact of economic policies, facilitating informed public discussions and evidence-based policy making.