Institute for World Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

The Institute for World Economics (IWE) carries out research and formulates policy recommendations on an objective basis, as part of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Established in 1973, it has become one of the major policy-oriented international research institutes and economic-policy think tanks in Central Europe.

Its main research task is to study the underlying trends and factors behind global and regional economic developments, and to examine their present and future impact on the Hungarian economy. In addition, it sets out to contribute to international research, through cooperation with top research institutes throughout the world.

Research philosophy

The criteria for choosing the IWE research areas have been the decisive, medium-term demands for research, deriving from the processes taking place in the world economy and the adjustments that Hungary must make, coupled with the comparative advantages offered by the IWE itself. This means that instead of resting on short-term, ad hoc requirements, the research is built on a long-term strategic demand, which must to some extent be created, through the demand-oriented nature of the projects. This is seen as the way to ensure that the IWE remains a professionally respected, authoritative, influential institute, helping to shape informed opinion in the country.

Research is fundamentally carried out on two basic levels: regional (geographic) and functional. Almost all research projects combine these two approaches, while staff members are required to specialize in one region and at least one functional topic.

Back to the previous page