ILO supports the first EUROMOD training in China

Beijing (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) successfully organized the first technical training on EUROMOD tax-benefit microsimulation model in China, benefiting 12 participants, including officials from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) and scholars from various renowned Universities and research institutions in China. The training was held in Beijing from 28 to 30 April 2025, organized within the framework of the "Improving China's Institutional Capacity towards Universal Social Protection (Phase 2)" Project, funded by the European Union (EU).

Group photo of EUROMOD training, Beijing, China, April 2025

EUROMOD is the tax-benefit microsimulation model for the EU. It allows researchers and policy analysts to calculate, in a comparable manner, the effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes and work incentives for the population of each country and for the EU as a whole. It is widely used in policy-relevant research, including within academic disciplines ranging from public economics to comparative social policy.

Hope this very first training on EUROMOD in China will serve as a source of inspiration on the potential of tax-benefit microsimulation models to promote evidence-based policy adjustments and participants can apply the knowledge gathered in their daily work afterwards.

Ruben VICENTE ANDRES, Social Protection Project Manager, ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia

Two EUROMOD trainers from the Fiscal Policy Analysis Unit, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Ms. Chrysa Leventi and Mr. Fidel Picos delivered the training. The three-day training aimed to improve participants' understanding of EUROMOD and its potential to be used to inform social policy reforms based on robust microsimulation. The trained participants are expected to explore the possibility of developing China's own tax-benefit microsimulation model based on EUROMOD to support policy reforms.

The trainer explains the course structure, Beijing, China, April 2025

The training included microsimulation models and their uses, as well as on EUROMOD's core components, main functions and applications. It combined lectures with live demonstrations of the model. Participants also had the opportunity to carry out a number of hands-on exercises to test and improve their understanding of the model. The training was very well received by all the participants.

The trainer assists participants in using EUROMOD, Beijing, China, April 2025

The European Union remains committed to cooperating with China, together with the ILO, to discuss and address common challenges in social policies in the coming years. The European Union will continue working closely with its Member States in sharing expertise and knowledge on these important matters.

Alessandra LEPORE, International Officer, Delegation of the European Union to China

ILO, in collaboration with EU, will remain available to support China in its efforts to strengthen the social protection system, for which strong, reliable and robust evidence-based advice is fundamental for informing policy reforms.