We analyze potential effects of demographic change and political constellations on higher education spending. In our panel analysis of west German states (Laender) for the period 1985 to 2002 we find empirical evidence for the hypothesis of a negative relationship between demographic aging and...

We evaluate three policy reforms targeted at older unemployed people: (i) an hourly wage subsidy, (ii) an in-work credit, and (iii) a subsidy of social security contributions on low wages. The work incentive, labour supply and welfare effects of these hypothetical reforms are analysed on the...

Abstract: Die Autoren plädieren für eine Reform der Bildungsfinanzierung. Diese sollte nach ökonomischen Kriterien gestaltet werden, um über den Lebenszyklus optimierte Bildungsinvestitionen zu erreichen. Um dieses Ziel zu unterstützen, sollten einerseits die öffentlichen Investitionen in...

'Marginal employment', i.e. employment at low working hours and earnings not covered by social security, has been gaining importance in the German economy over the past decade. Using a large newly available panel data set and statistical matching techniques, we analyse the effects of marginal...