The unemployment rate for the OECD area was 8.8% in December 2009, unchanged from the previous month but up by 1.8 percentage points from a year earlier.
With the help of massive government stimulus action, China is now leading the world economy out of recession, according to a new OECD report. Already the world’s second largest economy, China could well overtake the United States to become the leading producer of manufactured goods in the next five to seven years, it says.
Chile, now on the path to becoming the OECD’s newest member, is emerging from recession relatively fast on the back of government stimulus measures and a rebound in copper export prices, says the latest Economic Survey of Chile.
Merchandise trade volumes of the Group of seven (G7) countries grew in third quarter of 2009 after stabilising in the second but still were significantly below the levels of 2008.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s plans for financial reform could help to avoid a new financial crisis by resolving some major risks inherent to the current financial system, according to OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría.
Israel’s economy has shown resilience during the global recession, but more active education and employment policies – particularly targeted at minority groups – are needed to bolster its economic performance and bridge deep divisions within its society, according to the OECD.