en

IEB

Universitat de Barcelona logotipo

Who we are?

The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) is a research centre whose goals are to promote and disseminate work in Applied Economics, and to contribute to debate and the decision-making process in Economic Policy.

Founded in 2001 within the University of Barcelona (UB), the IEB enjoys the official recognition of the Catalan Government. In 2008, the Institute received a major boost with the creation of the IEB Foundation, on whose board of trustees sit representatives of private business (“la Caixa” Foundation and Saba), public institutions (the Barcelona Metropolitan Area and Barcelona City Hall) and the universities (University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona), in what is an excellent example of collaboration between the public/private sectors and academia. In carrying out its work, the IEB works closely with the Institute of Fiscal Studies, the Barcelona Provincial Council, Agbar, Cuatrecasas and Consorci Zona Franca Barcelona.

The IEB also hosts the Chair of Energy Sustainability at the UB (funded by the Foundation for Energy and Environmental Sustainability) and the Chair on Urban Economics City of Barcelona at the UB (funded by the Barcelona City Hall).

The research work of the Institute’s members is conducted primarily in the fields of fiscal federalism and public economics; urban economics; transport economics and infrastructure; energy sustainability; tax system analysis; economics of education; health economics; innovation; labour market – immigration and security policies.

As the IEB’s annual report shows, this research, carried out within the framework of competitive national and international projects, is presented at conferences, seminars and workshops, and is published primarily in specialist academic journals. In order to promote and disseminate this research further, the IEB publishes its own series of working papers and organises related activities, including seminars, workshops, and summer schools, among other events.

Similarly, with the aim of bringing its research findings to a wider audience, and of promoting debate and contributing to the policy-making process, the Institute periodically releases the IEB Report and the IEB’s Report on Fiscal Federalism and Public Finance, as well as its newsletter, Info IEB. The Institute also organizes a significant number of educational events, including conferences, meetings, symposia and discussion forums.

Finally, IEB researchers also participate in studies commissioned by entities and institutions interested in the economic analysis of the specific questions and issues in which they specialise.

Thanks to its research excellence and the cooperation established between the university, the public sector and the business world, the IEB is today a leading international research centre.

What do we do?

•  The Research Programme in Fiscal Federalism promotes the study of the public finances in multilevel systems of government (national, regional, and local) and debate on local and regional funding. Its research covers topics such as the effects of the decentralization of public services, the allocation of certain taxes at subcentral level, and the effects of intergovernmental transfers.

•  The Cities Research Programme promotes studies in regional and urban economy, with a focus on the role of cities as engines of prosperity. Analyses are undertaken of the determinants of city growth, agglomeration economies, the functioning of local labour markets and the design of public policies to give appropriate responses to the problems that cities face today. The programme includes the Chair on Urban Economics City of Barcelona at the UB (funded by the Barcelona City Hall).

•  The Research Programme in Infrastructure and Transport promotes research in this area from an economic viewpoint, in order to generate knowledge that is useful to society and is able to guide public policy. It focuses on the effects of infrastructure investments and transport policies on economic growth and the environment, examines the impact of policies of regional distribution, regulation and competition in the transport sector as well as user charges for infrastructure.

•  The Research Programme in Tax Systems Analysis seeks to promote research in the field of taxation, analyzing the effects of taxes, how taxes might be best designed and implemented and how their correct administration impacts their outcomes. The programme places special emphasis on empirical research and the analysis of the Spanish tax system, so as to generate knowledge useful for society as a whole.

•  The Research Program in Public Policy´s mission is to encourage research related to the design and implementation of public sector activities in order to meet social needs..

In addition, the Chair of Energy Sustainability at the UB promotes research into the production, supply, and use of the energy needed to maintain social welfare and development, placing special emphasis on economic, environmental, and social aspects.

Report of Activities:

2024
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008

Structure

Governing Council

José María Durán-Cabré
Director
Núria Bosch Roca
María Teresa Costa-Campi
Alejandro Esteller-Moré
José García-Quevedo
Anna Matas Prat
Daniel Montolio Estivill
Esteve Sanromà i Meléndez
Albert Solé-Ollé
Pilar Sorribas-Navarro
Elisabet Viladecans-Marsal

Board of Trustees

Joaquim Coello

Honorary President

Martí Parellada

President. Institut d’Economia de Barcelona & Universitat de Barcelona

Juan José López Burniol

Vicepresident. Vicepresident of  Fundació Bancària La Caixa

Jordi García Fernández

Vocal. Vice-Rector for Research of the Universitat de Barcelona

Jordi Valls Riera

Vocal. 4th Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Area of ​​Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism. Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Hall)

Xavier Ramos Morilla

Vocal. Vice-Rector for Economy of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Josep Martínez Vila

Vocal. CEO Saba Infraestructuras, S.A.

Ester Pujol Martí

Vocal. Director of Social and Economic Development. Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona

Joan-Anton Abad Ribalta

Non-trustee secretary. Auditing Abogados y Economistas, S.L.

Executive Committee

Martí Parellada

Institut d’Economia de Barcelona & Universitat de Barcelona

Enric Fernández Martínez

Chief Economist and Head of Strategic Planning and Research of CaixaBank

Jordi García Fernández

Vocal. Vice-Rector for Research of the Universitat de Barcelona

Jordi Valls Riera

4th Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council, Area of ​​Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism. Ajuntament de Barcelona (Barcelona City Hall)

Xavier Ramos Morilla

Vice-Rector for Economy of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Josep Martínez Vila

CEO Saba Infraestructuras, S.A.

Ester Pujol Martí

Director of Social and Economic Development. Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona

Joan-Anton Abad Ribalta

Non-trustee secretary. Auditing Abogados y Economistas, S.L.

Technical Personnel

Susana Cobos Gil
M. Àngels Gómez Hidalgo
Ingrid Sanz Budé

Institutional partners

AGBAR
Ajuntament de Barcelona
AMB
Consorci de la Zona Franca
Cuatrecasas
Diputació de Barcelona
Instituto de Estudios Fiscales
Fundació La Caixa
SABA
UAB
UB

Transparency