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Avatar photoPhilipp Heimberger

Philipp Heimberger is an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw).

Fiscal Consolidation Costs Europe Jobs and Deepens Inequality

Philipp Heimberger and Anna Matzner

New research reveals that EU fiscal tightening reduces output, raises unemployment, and widens income gaps — especially during recessions.

Europe Needs A Public Investment Revolution To Secure Its Economic Future

Philipp Heimberger and Cara Dabrowski

Boosting infrastructure spending would stimulate growth and employment without threatening debt sustainability.

EU’s New Fiscal Rules: Balancing Budgets with Green and Digital Ambitions

Philipp Heimberger

The recently enacted EU fiscal framework aims for fiscal prudence but poses challenges for funding the green and digital transition.

An analysis of the new European fiscal rules

Sebastian Gechert, Dario Guarascio, Philipp Heimberger and Francesco Zezza

EU member states submit fiscal plans, influencing economic stability and public debt for years to come.

Reform of EU fiscal rules—more ambition needed

Philipp Heimberger

What the European Commission proposes makes sense as far as it goes. But that is not nearly far enough.

Towards a permanent EU investment fund

Philipp Heimberger and Andreas Lichtenberger

Meeting the EU’s climate and energy goals will mean ramping up public investment via a permanent fund.

The ECB should not hike interest rates

Philipp Heimberger

Europe’s central bank is under pressure to raise interest rates to counter rising inflation. It should resist it.

Higher public debt = lower growth?

Philipp Heimberger

The pandemic-induced crisis has seen fiscal policy relaxed. Ill-evidenced orthodoxy must not be allowed to reinstate austerity.

Corporate tax cuts do not boost growth

Philipp Heimberger and Sebastian Gechert

Implicit in the global ‘race to the bottom’ on corporation tax in recent decades has been that this favours growth. Yet does it?

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HESA Magazine Cover

Here comes the sun - The formal transposition and political impact of the European Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in the EU

This new ETUI report examines both how Member States have formally transposed the Directive into national law and its broader political impact, particularly how it has shaped national debates and policy agendas on minimum wages and collective bargaining.

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The Great Unravelling

Read the book "The Great Unravelling"

The book "The Great Unravelling", edited by Patrick Diamond and Ania Skrzypek, delves into the impact of growing economic interdependence, free trade and technological change, which has led to new forms of political polarisation that seek to capitalise on and exploit the resentments fuelled by the rise of globalisation.
Featuring a stellar line-up of policymakers, experts and academics, the book assesses whether a viable compromise between globalisation and social progress remains achievable.

READ HERE

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WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

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The European Employment and Social Rights Forum is back in Brussels and online on 3-4 March 2026

This year’s edition will address the EU’s response to the challenges many people face today: the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and changes in the labour market. Opinion leaders, policymakers, businesses, academics and civil society are invited to explore bold ideas to support Europe’s greatest strength: its people.

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