WifOR Institute’s mission of providing data that shapes the future of health, sustainability, and labor is reaching new frontiers. From a publication in the world-renowned journal The Lancet Oncology to the WifOR Institute Sustainability Impact Tool (WISIT) and an upcoming European Skilled Labor Monitor, ourresearch keeps expanding globally.
We believe business and policy decisions should be grounded in scientific insights to benefit societies, economies, and the environment. This idea was born in the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, where we founded WifOR Institute 15 years ago. Little did we imagine then that our message would travel around the globe — from Latin America to the Middle East — in the years to come.
We are excited to share the latest highlights of our international journey with you. Enjoy reading!
Photo credits: The G20 & G7 Health and Development Partnership
Health, an investment across borders
Our research proves that regions that invest in health see benefits that extend beyond individual well-being – contributing to employment, wealth, and economic resilience.
This principle applies worldwide. During our participation at the Ghorfa Health Forum, organized by the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce, we presented figures for the Middle East. In the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the Health Economy contributed $155 billion to the regional GDP in 2023, about as much as the economies of Oman and Bahrain combined.
While it is clear that investing in health is essential, what areas should be tackled? The answer is: those with the greatest socioeconomic impact. By understanding which diseases are the most burdensome, efficient budget allocations can be made to improve lives and boost productivity.
Photo credits: MGA Annual Meeting
We were proud to illustrate this point with our publication in The Lancet Oncology dealing with access to advanced cancer treatments. WifOR calculated that a wider availability of [¹⁷⁷Lu]PSMA therapy for eligible patients could generate $725 million in economic potential across nine countries between 2023 and 2029.
I have presented our various findings at major international forums, including the H20 Summit in Geneva, the G20 meetings in Rio de Janeiro, the APEC Summit in Lima, and the Roche Press Day in Miami. While the locations were different, the core message remained the same: smartly investing in health pays off in multiple ways.
Enhancing sustainability impacts in the EU and the world
Companies from across nations are ever more often required to share data on their environmental and social impact. In Europe, in particular, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandates approximately 49,000 companies to publish their sustainability metrics starting in 2025.
Through the WifOR Institute Sustainability Impact Tool (WISIT), businesses can analyze their upstream social, environmental, and economic impacts, including Scope 3 emissions. This tool enables organizations to gain a comprehensive view of their impacts, identify hotspots in their supply chains, and take targeted actions to improve their sustainability strategies. WISIT also provides a tailored solution for the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG) reporting requirements. Register for WISIT here.
A new tool to transform the future of work
Our research will also reach new corners of Europe with our regional Skilled Labor Monitor. The soon-to-be-released prognosis tool forecasts the supply and demand of workers and offers data on where to potentially find personnel with the right skill sets. This way, we aim to help solve labor shortages and assist companies in locating the talent they need to keep growing.
Our model, which was already successfully implemented in Upper Austria, offers an interactive view of workforce availability in different industries, regions, and occupations. With predictions up to 2040 and other relevant indicators, the monitor enhances transparency and comparability of labor market data.
As the workforce shrinks, finding solutions to labor deficits proves crucial in Europe. In Germany, one in every three roles will not be filled by suitable employees by 2030, as underscored by WifOR Institute’s Head of Scientific Dialogue Sandra Zimmermann in interview with Radio Bremen Zwei. By using our data, businesses in all sectors can effectively plan for their employment needs.
We are excited to be collaborating with our partner Deutsche Telekom to launch this project in 2025. To receive the latest news on the topic, subscribe here.
Best wishes,
WifOR Institute, Rheinstraße 22, 64283 Darmstadt, Germany
