The "Regional Labour Markets" (REGIO) research department studies the labour market from a geographical perspective. This includes examining differences between and within regions on the one hand and, on the other, looking at how the labour market functions at local level.

Regional labour markets vary considerably in terms of population structure, the companies located in them and the sectors represented. Because of these structural differences, regions are affected to varying degrees by the transformation taking place as a result of digitalisation and decarbonisation, and by the consequences of demographic change, the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis. The department’s research investigates the underlying reasons for these differences, their impact on regional development and growth, and the effectiveness of labour market policies and other forms of government intervention. In addition, the department advises the Federal Employment Agency and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on how these structural regional differences affect the work and success of those operating in the labour market.

The places where people live, the locations of companies and the distances between them play a key part in the department’s research. Georeferenced process data is becoming increasingly important in this context as it allows granular analysis of very small areas. As a result, research can be carried out into topics such as how transport options and ease of access impact on the matching up of job seekers with vacancies or on companies’ recruitment of skilled workers and how an individual’s success in finding work is affected by the social environment, local infrastructure and the availability of housing.