New Research Group on International Distribution and Redistribution Takes up Work

Income and wealth distribution as well as the macroeconomic effects of redistribution and benefits systems raise public debate. The new Research Group "International Distribution and Redistribution" at the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim, which took up work at the beginning of October 2013, conducts empirical studies on this area. Its research work is also a contribution to bringing this debate on a more objective level. The ZEW Research Group is headed by Professor Andreas Peichl.

The Research Group "International Distribution and Redistribution" focuses on three main areas: In the research area "Tax and Transfer Policy", the researchers examine the efficiency, distribution, and welfare effects of tax and benefits systems. Another focus is on the macroeconomic effects of reforms and reform proposals. Furthermore, the Research Group studies the incentive effects resulting from tax and benefits systems over the life cycle. Researchers in the area "Prospects for the European Monetary Union" in particular examine questions related to European fiscal integration – a topic that has grown increasingly important in the European debt crisis. Main emphasis lies on the different proposals for the creation of a European fiscal union that have been made, ranging from stricter fiscal policy rules to fiscal transfer mechanisms to common tax and benefits systems, for example a European unemployment insurance system. Researchers working in the area "Distribution of Income and Wealth" focus on the empirical analysis of socio-economic inequality as well as on the distribution of poverty and wealth. They also investigate the potential sources of inequality, for example globalisation or demographic change.

The Research Group offers fiscal and social policy advice on the basis of empirical studies. Professor Andreas Peichl heads the Research Group "International Distribution and Redistribution". Alongside his new position at ZEW, Peichl has been appointed professor for quantitative economics at the University of Mannheim. Andreas Peichl came to ZEW from the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in Bonn. His research focuses on empirical public finance as well as labour and welfare economics. His current research topics include the effects of taxation on budgetary decisions and on the distribution of income, the incidence of different tax types, as well as the optimal design of tax and benefits systems.

For further information

Prof. Dr. Andreas Peichl, Tel. 0621 1235-389, Email peichl@zew.de