10 selected Research Luxembourg results – May 2026

19 June 2026

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Luxembourg News in Science & Research

What do the numbers say about dementia in Luxembourg? And what are working conditions like for employees in the country? Here are the latest scientific updates from the Grand Duchy.

This article was originally in F rench and German on science.lu

The number of people with dementia in Luxembourg could triple by 2070

Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

The ageing of Luxembourg’s population is expected to lead to a sharp increase in dementia cases over the coming decades, according to a Policy Brief published by LISER. By 2070, more than half of the country’s residents will be over the age of 50, compared with 35% today. The main driver of this demographic shift is the growing number of people aged 80 and over.

The report highlights the crucial role of informal caregivers and family support networks in the day-to-day care of people living with dementia. More than 80% of people with dementia who live alone receive regular informal assistance, most often from their children or neighbours.

The authors call for a stronger national strategy focused on prevention, early detection, psychological support, and reducing social isolation, which is considered a factor that can accelerate cognitive decline.
Press Release

Two-thirds of employees in Luxembourg work under “atypical” conditions

STATEC

According to recent report from STATEC, two-thirds of employees in Luxembourg work under at least one atypical arrangement, such as part-time work, shift work, night shifts or weekend hours.

Part-time work remains highly gendered, with 29.1% of women working part-time compared with 9% of men. Night and evening work is most common in the transport and administrative services sectors. Around 29% of residents work on Saturdays and 21% on Sundays. The study also highlights persistent family inequalities: among people with children or dependent relatives, 61% of women say they have adjusted their careers for family reasons, compared with 45% of men.

Teleworking has become a lasting feature of the labour market, with 36% of workers now working from home at least occasionally. By the end of 2025, Luxembourg had nearly 494,000 employees, 47% of whom were cross-border commuters, while Luxembourgish nationals accounted for just one in four employees.

One in five soil-dependent species worldwide is threatened with extinction

Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL)

A recent study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), in collaboration with Luxembourg’s National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL), reveals a worrying outlook for global soil biodiversity. According to the IUCN Red List, around one in five soil-dependent species is threatened with extinction. These include invertebrates (worms, insects and arachnids), fungi, microorganisms and other species that rely on underground ecosystems. Overall, more than 40% of the 8,500 species assessed worldwide are either threatened or too poorly understood to assess properly.

Soils support 95% of global food production and can store up to 27% of the carbon needed to help limit climate change. Yet many of the organisms that maintain soil fertility, such as fungi and invertebrates, remain largely understudied.

The study highlights a major gap between the ecological importance of soils—which are home to nearly 59% of the planet’s species—and current scientific knowledge, warning that this knowledge deficit threatens both food security and ecosystem health.

Fertility rate in Luxembourg falls to record low of 1.23 children per woman

STATEC

Luxembourg’s demographic slowdown was confirmed in 2025, driven by declining migration and a historically low total fertility rate. The total fertility rate (TFR)—the average number of children per woman—is now 1.23, according to a new report from STATEC, its lowest recorded level. Among Luxembourgish women, it falls even further to 1.16 children per woman.

As of 1 January 2026, the Grand Duchy had 690,959 inhabitants, marking annual growth of 1.3%, significantly below the rates of the past decade, when growth often exceeded 2%. This increase is now mainly driven by migration, although inflows are decreasing compared with previous years. At the same time, birth rates continue to decline.

Despite this slowdown, life expectancy remains high: 85.2 years for women and 81.1 years for men.

“Fake news”: traditional fact-checking may sometimes increase online tensions

Université du Luxembourg (FDEF)

Disinformation spreads rapidly on social networks, often driven more by emotions than by facts. A research team at the University of Luxembourg (FDEF) has been studying for four years how false information spreads and how it can be countered.

The researchers analysed several major cases, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the US presidential election, and climate-related debates. The REMEDIS project found that traditional fact-checking—where journalists or experts verify claims—can sometimes intensify tensions. Many users perceive professional fact-checks as politically biased, which can further increase distrust.

Alternative approaches such as “Community Notes” on X, where users collectively correct misleading posts, show promising results, although they often come too late to stop initial viral spread. To strengthen critical thinking, the researchers also developed an educational game called “Debunked”, based on the idea of “cognitive vaccination,” which exposes users to small doses of misinformation to help them better resist it later.
Press Release

Luxembourg needs to accelerate labour market integration of refugees

Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

A new LISER Policy Brief argues that current reforms in Luxembourg remain insufficient to fully unlock the economic potential of refugees.

The country is home to around 17,000 refugees or asylum seekers, representing about 2.5% of the population. However, employment levels remain low: a recent survey shows that only 28% of refugees are employed 10 to 18 months after arrival, often earning less than €2,000 per month. Researchers point to several barriers, including administrative hurdles, language difficulties, non-recognition of qualifications, and a lack of professional networks.

They recommend a more coordinated strategy combining intensive language training, faster skills assessment, personalised support, and direct matching with employers.

The report also highlights Germany as an example, where more proactive policies have enabled 65–70% of refugees to find employment within ten years.
Press Release

A prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could push Luxembourg into recession in 2026

STATEC

In a recent study, STATEC warns that a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil trade route, could have major economic consequences. Tensions involving Iran could trigger strong inflationary pressure, sustained increases in energy prices, and a significant slowdown in Luxembourg’s economy.

Two scenarios are examined: a short blockade lasting until the end of May 2026, and a more severe case involving a six-month closure. In the latter scenario, fuel prices could exceed €2 per litre by summer 2026, while inflation in Luxembourg could approach 6%. STATEC also anticipates rising unemployment and a possible recession in 2026 if the conflict persists. Global supply chains would be disrupted, increasing shipping costs and raw material prices.

Despite these pressures, the impact on electricity prices is expected to be more limited than during the 2022–2023 energy crisis.

The pandemic restored borders in Europe despite decades of integration

Université du Luxembourg (FHSE)

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted European border regions, which had been shaped for decades by integration and free movement. A recent study examines the phenomenon of “covidfencing”, referring to the sudden reintroduction of internal borders during the health crisis, focusing on three major regions: the Geneva basin, the Greater Region, and the Öresund area between Denmark and Sweden.

Researchers found that despite strong economic and social interdependence, states took unilateral decisions to close borders without consulting regional cooperation structures. The crisis also deepened certain inequalities, particularly through the rise of telework. While some cross-border workers benefited from increased flexibility, others remained dependent on daily physical commuting. Fiscal and social adjustments were introduced to manage these new conditions.

The study also highlights regional innovation capacity: in several areas, local actors developed new forms of cooperation that could prove useful in future crises.
Press Re l ease

Luxembourg residents among Europe’s most frequent travellers

STATEC

After the post-pandemic surge in travel, tourism habits among Luxembourg residents have now stabilised. According to a STATEC infographic, residents of the Grand Duchy made around 3.2 million tourist trips in 2024 and accumulated 22 million overnight stays outside their home. This represents a significant increase compared with 2019: +40% in trips and +26% in overnight stays.

Luxembourg residents rank among the most frequent travellers in Europe, second only to Swedes. STATEC attributes this pattern to high income levels, proximity to an international airport, and the country’s migration history. Travel remains mainly European, with 92% of trips taking place within Europe, especially to France, Germany, and Spain.

The study also highlights social inequalities: households facing financial difficulties travel less often and are less likely to take holidays.

SUN2CN: a promising breakthrough to produce sustainable molecules using sunlight

Luxembourg Institute of Science and Techonology (LIST)

Six months after its launch, the European project SUN2CN, coordinated by the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), reports an early scientific result considered highly promising. The research team has developed an electrocatalyst—a material that speeds up chemical reactions using electricity—with high efficiency for converting nitrates and water into ammonia using solar energy.

This represents a key step toward the project’s main goal: transforming waste-derived molecules such as CO₂, nitrates, and water into high-value compounds containing carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The aim is to create a system capable of producing useful molecules for agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry using only sunlight and locally available waste streams.

The next phase will focus on integrating CO₂ to directly produce more complex and sustainable chemical compounds, while reducing emissions from the chemical industry.
Press Release

Author: Diane Bertel
Editor: Lucie Zeches (FNR) ; Nicolas Stamets (Research Luxembourg)