Wolfgang Franz is professor of economics and was the head of the ZEW research institute in Mannheim. He also was the chairman of the German Council of Economic Experts, which independently advises the German Government and Parliament on economic policy issues.

Franz studied economics at the University of Mannheim and received his doctoral degree in 1974, under supervision of Heinz König. He held positions at the University of Mainz, the University of Stuttgart, and the University of Konstanz, before returning to his alma mater in 1997.

His research interests include labor markets, macroeconomics, and empirical analysis of economics.