June 30, 2026 | Defo News

Pensions and Integration

The new issue (No. 02/2026) of Demografische Forschung Aus Erster Hand, the popular science newsletter with latest research results from demography, has been released.

"Demografische Forschung Aus Erster Hand" is a joint publication of the Max Planck Institute for demographic Research (MPIDR), the Rostocker Zentrum zur Erforschung des Demografischen Wandels (RZ), the Vienna Institute of Demography (VID), the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital and the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB).

The Newsletter is available in German only.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to pass the pension reform through the Bundestag by the end of the year. Several more debates are likely to take place before then. This issue features two articles that focus on pensions. One article is based on a study examining how various European countries have successfully extended working lives through reforms (spoiler: with mixed results). Additionally, Sebastian Klüsener from the Federal Institute for Population Research provides food for thought in an editorial.

The other articles are also highly relevant. Researchers demonstrate the crucial role of daycare centers in integrating Ukrainian mothers. There are also new figures on gender equality—or rather, the lack thereof. Researchers have analyzed how long mothers and fathers take parental leave in Austria. Here, too, is a spoiler: The differences are striking. 

ARRIVAL

Daycare Centers Help Mothers Integrate

Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)

One million three hundred thousand refugees from Ukraine live in Germany. The government is responsible for helping them integrate. Childcare at daycare centers plays an important role in this process.

LABOR MARKET

When Do People Actually Retire?

Max-Planck-Institut für demografische Forschung (MPIDR)

Reforms to the pension system often aim to extend working life. These reforms have taken hold throughout Europe, though not equally in all countries.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 

Gender Trumps Competence

Vienna Institute of Demography (VID)

Regardless of qualifications, parental leave is almost exclusively taken by women. Even highly qualified mothers take long career breaks, while little changes for fathers.

The newsletter is released four times a year and is available electronically and as a printed version and is free of charge.