Tilman Altenburg

German Institute of Development and Sustainability

Papers

Total Citations

114

H-Index

About

Tilman Altenburg is a leading development economist whose research focuses on industrial policy, global value chains, and the intersection of technological change with economic development in the Global South. His most-cited work, "Exporting out of China or out of Africa? Automation versus relocation in the global clothing industry" (2020, 114 citations), offers a pivotal analysis of how rising wages in China are reshaping global manufacturing. Altenburg argues that while this shift creates opportunities for African economies to attract labor-intensive industries, the simultaneous rise of automation threatens to undercut these gains—a nuanced contribution that has shaped debates on industrial policy and the future of work. Beyond this paper, his broader research examines how developing countries can leverage innovation and green technologies for sustainable growth. As head of the "Sustainable Economic and Social Development" department at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Altenburg has advised governments and international organizations, earning recognition for bridging rigorous empirical research with actionable policy insights. His work remains essential reading for scholars and practitioners navigating the complexities of global economic transformation.