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Economic survey of Ireland 2008: Setting the pension system on the right track

16-Apr-2008

Ireland currently has a relatively young population but faces similar, if more distant, long-term pressures from population ageing as other countries. The pension system is founded on a basic state pension but relies heavily on private saving to provide adequate replacement incomes in retirement. Large increases in the state pension have reduced poverty, although many pensioners still have low incomes. There is a large retirement savings gap for many households between the close to flat-rate state pension and a reasonable replacement income in retirement.

Economic survey of Ireland 2008: Integrating migrants: learning from OECD experience

16-Apr-2008

Immigration has soared in recent years. The immigrants tend to be young, well educated and work. But they often work in basic jobs. Immigration policy should thus focus on better integration. This chapter reviews Irish immigration policy in the light of international experience. It also highlights the uncertainties about future migration flows and the challenges they pose for infrastructure planning.

Economic Survey of Germany 2008

09-Apr-2008

Germany has been enjoying a strong cyclical rebound in economic growth after a long period of stagnation. First positive effects of past reforms are already visible. However, for high economic growth to be more enduring, economic challenges remain, notably in the fields of labour markets, fiscal policy, education policy, healthcare and network industries.

Factbook 2008 shows wide variations in productivity across OECD countries

08-Apr-2008

Labour productivity has grown strongly in the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Korea in recent years while  growth rates in some other OECD countries such as Italy, Mexico, Portugal and New Zealand have slowed markedly.

Economic Survey of Japan 2008

07-Apr-2008

Despite the longest economic expansion in its post-war history, Japan faces many challenges. Perhaps most urgent is addressing the fiscal situation through comprehensive tax reform. There is also significant scope for policies to accelerate productivity growth in the service sector, which has lagged behind manufacturing. In addition, measures to reverse the rise in labour market dualism would be beneficial for both growth and equity.

Reform progress in OECD countries uneven, says Going for Growth

04-Mar-2008

Governments in many OECD countries have made good but uneven progress over the past 12 months in implementing the economic reforms needed to improve living standards, according to the OECD's latest Going for Growth report.

Economic survey of Iceland 2008

28-Feb-2008

After several years of rapid economic expansion, the key challenge for policy is to restore economic balance. There is also a need to strengthen the macro-economic policy framework. In a longer-term perspective, a major challenge is to improve cost-effectiveness in the health-care sector.

Economic Survey of Denmark 2008

19-Feb-2008

After several years of strong growth, the economy shows signs of overheating. This should be counteracted via prudent fiscal policy and labour market reforms. Boosting employment is also vital given Denmark's ambitious, but costly, welfare priorities in areas like healthcare. Finally, reducing the distortions from high marginal tax rates must be a key priority, this report argues.

Economic survey of the Netherlands 2008: Coping with labour shortages: How to bring outsiders back to the labour market?

31-Jan-2008

The Dutch labour market is functioning well, with employment and labour participation rates above OECD averages. Nevertheless, there are sizable pockets of under-activity, which could be mobilised to addrss short-run labour shortages and ageing related reductions in the labour suply.

Economic survey of the Netherlands 2008: Increasing working hours: Helping reconcile work and family

31-Jan-2008

About two-thirds of Dutch female workers opt for part-time jobs, bringing down the country’s average working time to one of the lowest levels in the OECD. Thus, increasing working hours depends on reconciling work and family responsibilities.




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How deep is the impact of the recent oil and credit shocks on the productive potential of OECD economies?

Issue No. 83