Expertise

Economy & Labour

Developing change sustainably and with vision.

Today, the only constant for the economy and labour is change. (De-)Globalisation, demographic development, decarbonisation and digitalisation are constantly reshaping framework conditions – regionally, nationally and internationally. Geopolitical and trade cooperation are being put to the test, value and supply chains need to be reorganised while the urgently needed transformation to climate neutrality is only just beginning. In Germany, this is compounded by an ageing population.

This gives rise to many questions: can ecological solutions be combined with economic opportunities? Which sectors will prosper tomorrow and where will skilled labour become scarce? What does a labour market that promotes growth, prosperity, sustainability and social participation look like?

We facilitate change and transformation: with well-founded analyses and advice on all relevant topics from the fields of Macroeconomics, Work & Skilled Labour, Cohesion Policy, (De-)Globalisation as well Green Economy & Circular Economy.

Macroeconomics


The one constant in modern economies: change. In a dynamic environment, businesses and states must maintain an overview.

Work & Skilled Labour


Structural change, demography, digitalization – the labour market is undergoing massive change. Securing skilled labour is a central challenge.

Cohesion Policy


Structural and transformation policy make regions competitive and stimulate structural change by setting clear objectives and involving stakeholders.

(De-)Globalisation


The globalisation dynamic has been over for some time. We give orientation to industry and politics in uncertain times.

Green Economy & Circular Economy


Sustainable, decarbonised and circular – the green economy and circular economy unite ecological solutions with economic opportunities.

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

The economic and social situation of the creative industries

2024
| Project

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Prognos and partner analysed the economic and social situation of self-employed solo artists in creative professions.

Clusters meet Regions: Charleroi

-
| Event

As part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper on the cluster landscape in Charleroi, Belgium.

Impact of global crises on regional labour markets

ongoing
| Project

A shrinking workforce, digitalisation and decarbonisation: Prognos examines the specific effects of global trends on regional labour markets.

Market exploration trip to Southeast Asia

-
| Event

Greta Dekker is going on a market exploration trip for the KNUW: She is examining the market opportunities in Indonesia and Singapore for companies in the environmental industry from NRW and at the same time presenting their potential.

NetworkNature Annual Conference 2024

| Event

Greta Dekker will be attending the NetworkNature annual conference and talking to the specialist audience about nature-based solutions.

Evaluation of the ERDF programmes of several federal states

ongoing
| Project

How effectively do the federal states utilise ERDF funding? Prognos supports various federal states with the evaluation of their ERDF programmes.

Presentation of the study on the economic and social situation in the cultural and creative industries

| Event

The results of our study on the economic and social situation of solo self-employed and hybrid workers in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) will be presented at the event.

Evaluation of ERDF funding for SMEs

ongoing
| Project

How effective is EU support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)? On behalf of the European Commission, Prognos evaluates together with CSIL the ERDF funding in the period from 2014 to 2020.

Industry Conference 2024

| Event

Together with the Alliance for the Future of Industry, the BMWK is organising the Industry Conference 2024, where Michael Astor will present initial interim findings from our study on the resilience and sovereignty of German industry.

Germany Potential Index: Digitalisation to counter the skilled-worker shortage

2024
| Project

The skilled-worker shortage is only due to get worse in the future. Our Potential Index shows: Increased digitalisation can help to cushion the negative consequences of the skilled-worker shortage in Germany.

Guest article in SPIEGEL: How Europe's economy can catch up with the USA and China

2024
| Expertise

A race to catch up - this is what Europe needs if it is not to be left behind by the USA and China. In the SPIEGEL guest article, Christian Böllhoff calls for a new match plan with clear priorities for the new EU legislative period.

Prognos Economic Outlook® (PEO®)

ongoing
| Project

In uncertain times, there is a growing demand for orientation. PEO® delivers independent figures. Based on our wolrd economy model we project the developments until 2045.

Employers’ attractiveness according to parents and carers

2024
| Project

Employees want tailor-made reconciliation measures that ensure work-life balance and not to face professional disadvantage as a result of their care work. These were the findings of our study for the BMFSFJ.

Significance of the German economy for Europe

2024
| Project

Growth in the German economy benefits the whole of Europe. Our study for the vbw shows that this is due to the size of the economy and its strong foreign trade networks.

Web tool: Risk analysis for sustainable supply chains

ongoing
| Project

Prognos develops a tool for an industry association that enables member companies to carry out risk analyses to identify sustainability risks in countries and sectors.

AI players in the federal state

2024
| Project

Which companies are already using or developing artificial intelligence? Which companies would benefit from the use of AI? Prognos created an interactive dashboard for one federal state.

Guidelines: With Sustainable Governance to successful sustainability reporting

2024
| Project

We have produced guidelines for successful sustainability reporting in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive for an industry association. The second guide is dedicated to the topic of "Sustainability Governance".

Guideline: Data management for successful sustainability reporting

2024
| Project

We have produced guidelines for successful sustainability reporting in accordance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive for an industry association. The third guide deals with data management in accordance with the CSRD.

Study on Poverty and income inequality in the context of the digital transformation

2024
| Project

The study for the European Commission examines the impact of digitalisation on the employment situation in the individual member states as well as on the EU economy as a whole.

Regulatory requirements for carbon accounting

2024
| Project

Which carbon accounting requirements will businesses have to be aware of in the future and what, specifically, will present the greatest challenge?

Germany: Industry sectors put to the test

2024
| Expertise

Mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, pharmaceuticals: In which sectors is Germany still a leader? On behalf of the Handelsblatt, we examined how successfully Germany is holding its own against its international competitors.

2nd Cohesion for Transitions Conference & Meetings

-
| Event

Our colleagues are travelling to the conference as part of their work for the Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) platform and are chairing both a meeting of the science network and a working group.

Developing the Rhein-Kreis Neuss economic development strategy

2024
| Project

Rhein-Kreis Neuss is focusing on more innovative economic development to strengthen its business location. Prognos was instrumental in the development of the new strategy.

Development of a group-wide raw materials strategy

2024
| Project

Our retail industry client commissioned us to develop a group-wide raw materials concept. We assisted the company from conception stage right through to the launch of the interactive web tool.

Realignment of European structural funds

ongoing
| Project

Prognos and partners are developing conclusions for the further development of the European structural funds after 2027 by integrating relevant stakeholders.

Decarbonisation of the automotive industry

2024
| Project

Digitalisation, decarbonisation, electrification: The German automotive industry faces major challenges. Prognos led the accompanying research to the carbon assessment of the auto industry value chain, on behalf of the BMWK.

Hybrid seminar on cohesion policy support for RTDI

| Event

Prognos and its partners are organising a hybrid seminar on the evaluation of cohesion policy support for research, technological development and innovation (RTDI).

Future-proof strategies for Europe

2024
| Project

Germany and Europe are trying to find their place in the New World Order. Prognos examined four foreign trade strategies for the vbw.

Supervision of sustainability reporting in accordance with the CSRD

ongoing
| Project

We offered guidance to a group from the publishing industry setting up sustainability reporting that complies with the Corporate Social Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Five challenges: How Europe remains competitive in the future

2024
| Expertise

What needs to happen for Europe to survive in global competition? We analysed this at the “12 Minutes Europe – Meeting Global Challenges” event organised by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Economic impact analysis for selected SDGs

2024
| Project

A foundation group commissioned us to use KPIs to visualise the impact of its activities within identified focus SDGs.

Harnessing Talent Platform: Technical support in progress

2024
| Project update

The Harnessing Talent Platform supports selected regions within the EU that are particularly affected by demographic change and the brain drain. The technical support that Prognos is providing in some regions has now been launched with kick-off meetings.

European Cluster Conference 2024

-
| Event

The European Cluster Conference 2024 brings the key players in the European cluster economy together in one place. The Prognos team around Head of EU-Services Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer is providing input both as part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform and for the NRW.innovativ competence centre.

KreativLand Baden-Württemberg

2024
| Project

Creatives in the countryside? As scientific partner in the model project KreativLand Baden-Württemberg, Prognos examined the status quo, the opportunities and the challenges facing creatives living and working outside of the urban centres and regions.

Evaluation of the Bildungsketten Initiative

ongoing
| Project

The Bildungsketten Initiative’s goal is to support coordinated action by the Federal and State governments at the most important interfaces of the educational process. Prognos evaluates the initiative on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Ludwig-Erhard-Gipfel

-
| Event

Christian Böllhoff, CEO of Prognos, discusses the topic of (de)globalization at the Ludwig Erhard Summit with host Dr Wolfram Weimer.

Support for the Just Transition Platform

2024
| Project

Through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), the EU supports the member states and regions in achieving their climate targets in a fair manner. Prognos provided the JTP with in-depth analyses and knowledge management.

Career orientation for immigrants

2024
| Project

The transition into the job market often represents a greater challenge for immigrants. We evaluated a subsidised programme that supports them in meeting this challenge on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The invisible value of care work

2024
| Expertise

72 billion hours: That is how many unpaid care work hours are performed in Germany, annually, by women. In a new paper, we show the value of unpaid care work and how unevenly it is dis-tributed between men and women.

Innovation Index Germany 2023

2024
| Project

Once again, Prognos has compiled the Innovation Index Germany on behalf of the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications. The index quantifies the impact the expansion of Germany’s digital infrastructure has had on its innovation strength.

A more sustainable working environment

2024
| Project

For the working environment to become more sustainable, knowledge and raising awareness are key. Funding programmes such as the BBNE could help with this. Prognos conducted an apprais-al of the programme.

Status Report on the German Recycling Economy 2024

2024
| Project

The 2024 Status Report gives a comprehensive picture of the whole Recycling Economy sector and its future challenges.

Circular economy in the northern Netherlands

2023
| Project

Three provinces in the north of the Netherlands want to become leaders in the circular economy in Europe by 2025. Prognos examined the current status of implementation.

Indicators of equal living conditions

ongoing
| Project

The establishment of equal living conditions in Germany is one of the goals being prioritised by the Federal Government. But how can the equivalence of living conditions be measured? Prognos develops a set of indicators.

Value added of German pharmaceutical exports

2023
| Project

Compared to other export sectors, German pharmaceutical exports show above-average levels of innovation and value-added intensity. However, the industry is falling behind in the global re-search competition. This is shown by a new study commissioned by Roche.

Climate path implementation in Baden-Württemberg

2024
| Project

In Baden-Württemberg, emissions are to be reduced by a further 23% by 2030. As part of a multi-stage concept, Prognos examines the challenges and opportunities for action in the transfor-mation context.

New procurement markets for the Bavarian economy

2023
| Project

New procurement markets can help increase the resilience and efficiency of the German and Bavarian supply chains. The study quantifies the current procurement markets and those still yet to be further exploited.

The Circular Week 2023

-
| Event

From October 24th to 25th, Hanne Hagedorn will be in Warsaw for the Green Economy Network.NRW as part of the Circular Economy Week 2023.

Supply chains: no climate neutrality without raw materials

2023
| Project

Crises continue to put global trade routes at risk. This study by Prognos and partners indicates the measures necessary to secure strategically important supply chains.

The future of the automotive industry in Saarland

ongoing
| Project

The automotive industry continues to undergo fundamental change worldwide. How does this transformation affect the Saarland economy?

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Our services.

We provide high quality work. Using sound methods, we analyse economic and political developments. For projects and processes, we provide solution-oriented and empathetic support. We have over 60 years of experience in a wide range of disciplines and provide consultancy with vision and expertise.

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