2009 OECD Employment Outlook: Tackling the Jobs Crisis
The OECD Employment Outlook provides an annual assessment of labour market developments and prospects in member countries.
This issue focuses on the jobs crisis in particular and looks at steps taken by governments to help workers and the unemployed.
It recommends ways of preventing current high levels of unemployment becoming entrenched.
It will provide a basis for discussions by OECD Employment Ministers at a meeting in Paris on 28-29 September.
Chapter 1. The jobs crisis: what are the implications for employment and social
policy? Chapter 2. How do industry, firm and worker characteristics shape job and worker
flows? Chapter 3. Is work the best antidote to poverty? Chapter 4. Pathways onto (and off) disability benefits: assessing the role of policy
and individual circumstances
Statistical annex : read the pdf version, read the note on the estimates of average wages (table I)
Did you know?
The current unemployment hike is the worst in recent decades
The unemployment rate in the OECD area reached 8.5% in July 2009 and it could approach 10% by 2010. This is the steepest increase in the post-war period.
Most countries have scaled up resources for labour market and social policies to support the rapidly growing number of unemployed, but additional funds are often rather limited and governments are facing difficult choices on how best to respond to the different demands.
There are significant cross-country differences in worker reallocation rates across all industries
Each year, more than 20% of jobs, on average, are created and/or destroyed, and around one third of all workers are hired and/or separated from their employers.
There are significant differences across countries in job and worker flows, but in all cases they contribute to productivity growth.
Employment considerably reduces
the poverty risk
Prior to the crisis, 1 individual in 10 was poor on average in OECD countries and more than 1 in 3 among those living in jobless households.
Anti-poverty policies need to be strengthened in a number of countries, notably for families with children who are the most vulnerable.
For more statistical material see the Employment Outlook's statistical annex, our
Summaries of this book are available in 22 languages, including in English and French. Access the full list of summaries here.
Employment Outlook and the crisis
Tackling the jobs crisis With unemployment likely to continue rising into 2010, what must governments do to prevent the recession turning into a long-term employment and social crisis.
In-Work Poverty: What Can Governments Do - This OECD Policy Brief answers the following questions: Does work reduce the risk of poverty? Who are the working poor? Are existing safety nets adequate? Can in-work benefits help? Are minimum wages useful in fighting in-work poverty? These issues are also analysed in greater detail in Chapter 3 of the OECD Employment Outlook 2009.
Helping Workers Weather the Economic Storm - This OECD Policy Brief takes a look at how the current economic crisis is affecting labour market outcomes; how this crisis compares to previous recessions; who is most affected; whether or not existing safety nets are adequate; how the unemployed can be activated when labour demand is weak; and what can be done to prepare workers for the recovery.
Further reading
For more supporting documentation and data related to the OECD Employment Outlook 2009 see:
OECD Employment Outlook 2009
OECD Labour and Employment Ministerial: Tackling the Jobs Crisis
What can be done to promote better employment prospects for older workers?
