Residential construction has been a major contributor to Germany’s economic growth in recent decades. However, current forecasts point to a worrying decline in the real volume of residential construction, which could have far-reaching consequences. This development underlines the urgent need to strengthen residential construction as a driver of economic recovery. The DIW Econs study, commissioned by the Housing association alliance, first measures the direct, indirect and induced economic effects of residential construction.

Whether a sustainable lifestyle is financially worthwhile for households is a matter of public debate. The high initial investment in particular reinforces the prejudice that switching to renewable energies is the morally correct but expensive alternative to a fossil-fuelled lifestyle. A cost comparison carried out by DIW Econ on behalf of Enpal B.V. suggests that the opposite is true.

The development of the regulatory framework and the offer of the gambling segments DLTB lotteries and commercial gaming machines has been very different over the last 30 years, although both sectors have the mandate to channel gambling into legal channels by offering attractive games. In this study, commissioned by VDAI, DIW Econ examines the relationship between the design and adaptation of products over time, particularly in the area of stakes and winnings, and successful channelling in both sectors.

The Children’s Food Advertising Act (KLWG-E) planned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture aims to protect children under the age of 14 from unhealthy food advertising. It prohibits the advertising of food and beverages to children whose nutritional value exceeds the recommended upper limits. The short study by DIW Econ, commissioned by foodwatch e.V., analyses the economic effects of this law from a macroeconomic perspective.

The Free State of Bavaria is an attractive destination for tourists. On behalf of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, DIW Econ has for the first time fully assessed the economic importance of the tourism industry in Bavaria using the TSA system.

The calculation was carried out for the years 2019 and 2020. This means that not only the Bavarian tourism industry in the last year before the crisis can be analysed, but also the effects of the Corona pandemic.