WifOR Institute – if you measure it, you can shape it.
Our vision is a sustainable social, environmental, and economic development of our global society through evidence-based decision-making in politics and business – grounded in valid and comparable data.
Through our studies, our mission is to
set global standards in the area of sustainability measurement,
make the importance of health investments measurable throughout the world,
and enable data-based solutions to labor market challenges.
Our expertise
WifOR collaborates with international partners from public and private spheres to pursue a sustainable social, environmental, and economic development of global society. Our clients and project partners include companies, government ministries, NGOs, and associations.
We conduct research in the areas of labor markets, sustainability, and health, seeking to initiate public discourse and developing valid, comparable data to make evidence-based decisions. As experts in macroeconomic analysis, we believe data-driven research forms the foundation of social and environmental transition – if you measure it, you can shape it.
WifOR has over 70 employees with offices located in Berlin, Darmstadt, Leipzig, and Athens, as well as representatives in Latin America and the USA. To ensure the highest possible data quality, we have worked closely with statistical authorities since the very beginning and we are continuously developing our models. We cooperate with scientific experts from various universities, project partners from business and politics, and innovative initiatives such as the Value Balancing Alliance (VBA).
Our values
Scientific approach
Our data is objective, valid, and reliable
Independence
We have a broad client and partner portfolio from the public and private sector
Innovation
Reconceptualizing issues belongs to our scientific DNA
Team spirit
Mutual support and co-learning belong to our everyday work practice
Sustainability
Societally, environmentally, and economically – taking into account human rights and planetary boundaries
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our DEI studies support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the labour market
Get to know our team
Dr. Eva Levi
Senior Researcher
WifOR’s research is having more and more impact on our society. I feel inspired and valued to be contributing to this work.To Podcast
Dr. Jan Fries
Team Lead & Senior Researcher
At WifOR, I call upon all my skills to analyze and promote the interconnection of skilled labor and the health economy.To Article
Lotta Janzen
HR Manager
What convinced me to join WifOR was the research done here, the open company culture, and the variety of responsibilities and projects.To Interview
Our history
Established in 2009, WifOR grew out of the TU Darmstadt’s Department of Finance and Economic Policy, which was headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Bert Rürup. WifOR has been managed by Prof. Dr. Dennis A. Ostwald since its foundation.
Dr. Ostwald’s professorship at the Steinbeis University Berlin (SIBE) as well as regular exchanges with institutions such as Harvard University ensure a close connection to research. The high number of dissertations written at WifOR, in cooperation with renowned universities, further supports our scientific work. In addition, the quality of research is upheld by an expert committee of renowned researchers.
