The IMK covers a wide range of macroeconomic topics. Academic research at the IMK is currently classified into four key research areas:

Business cycle analysis and forecasting
As an economic research institute with a strong focus on the business cycle the IMK studies relationships of national accounts aggregates in the course of the cycle focusing on their predictive qualities. The analysis covers both short and medium-term economic developments in Germany and the world. A systematic preparation and evaluation of economic indicators forms the empirical basis for the forecasts, complemented by econometric model simulations. In the middle and towards the end of the year the IMK publishes its own economic forecasts.

Economic policy analysis
This research area focuses on current topics of monetary and fiscal policy as well as employment policy. In addition to monitoring day-to-day macroeconomic policy, special topics are analyzed such as the German fiscal "debt brake", the adequate monetary policy reaction to commodity price shocks and how wages and employment policies affect domestic demand.

Labour markets, income and its distribution in a globalized world
During the latest boom of the world economy Germany was able to profit strongly from global growth and increasing international trade, due to a moderate increase in unit labour costs. The opposite side of this development were moderate wage increases, strongly growing profit shares, and weak domestic demand. In this research programme the interdependencies of wage increases, labour markets and growth in a globalized world economy are investigated.

Challenges for Macroeconomics and Economic Policy after the Crisis
In the face of the global financial and economic crisis starting in 2007 many "conventional wisdoms" in macroeconomics have been challenged. The crisis reveals fundamental problems both within standard macroeconomic theory and with economic policies at the national and international levels. The IMK is interested in alternative approaches to macroeconomic theory and in possibilities of a renewal of macroeconomic policy beyond short-term crisis management.

For a list of researchers according to their interests, please see here.

Project outlines can be found on the following website in German and in English.

Titles of some ongoing projects:

International comparison of wage levels
The IMK regularly evaluates the relevant Eurostat statistics and examines wage costs across industries comparing the results with those of the employers' institute, IW.

Financial system and economic growth
The project investigates the long-term relationship between the development and the structure of the financial system on the one hand and income distribution and economic growth on the other.

Research Network Macroeconomics and Macroeconomic Policies
The Research Network Macroeconomics and Macroeconomic Policies provides a platform for analysis, research and discussion of macroeconomic issues.

The research findings of the IMK are presented at conferences and workshops both in Germany and abroad. With its own conferences and workshops the IMK creates a forum for the discussion of research findings of the IMK staff and external researchers. The online publications of the Hans-Böckler-Foundation offer free access to the IMK's research findings. The latter are also published in referenced journals and other external publications.

Other publications:

IMK News / English
This newsletter informs you about current research projects, publications, events and other news of the Macroeconomic Policy Institute (IMK).

The IMK report is published in German and treats current economic issues. On a limited amount of pages it delivers analysis of the economic development and the economic policy as well as forecasts.

The IMK Working Paper series offers economic papers for an academic audience. They are published in English irregularly.

The IMK Studies are devoted to in-depth analysis. This series is also the medium for expertise. The IMK Studies are published in the relevant language, usually German or English.

The Macroeconomic Policy Institute is actively involved in economic policy advice. It offers its findings to national and international institutions as well as the general public (Briefing Papers).

The IMK is a member of the Research Network Macroeconomics and Macroeconomic Policies, founded in 1997, consisting of about 600 members and aiming at revitalising macroeconomics, especially post Keynesian economics.