Klaus Prettner - Biography#

Klaus Prettner is Professor of Economics at WU - Vienna University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on the interactions between population dynamics, education, health, automation, and economic development, with particular emphasis on ageing societies and the future of work.

He has made contributions to the integration of demographic change into modern growth theory, helping to establish population ageing as a central driver of macroeconomic dynamics rather than a peripheral concern. His work on automation and factor shares has advanced understanding of how technological change affects inequality, labor demand, and long-run growth trajectories.

Prettner’s research is published in leading international journals including the Nature Medicine, JAMA Oncology, Lancet Global Health, Journal of Monetary Economics, Economic Journal, Journal of Economic Growth, European Economic Review, Journal of Economic Literature, Journal of Population Economics, Annual Review of Economics, and Research Policy. His work is widely cited and has influenced both academic debates and policy discussions on ageing, pensions, education, and technological change.

In addition to his research contributions, he is highly engaged in academic service and capacity building. He has supervised numerous doctoral dissertations, contributed to international research networks, and served as editor and referee for top journals in economics and demography. He has held visiting positions at internationally renowned institutions and collaborates extensively with scholars across Europe and beyond.