5-February-2013
English
Korea should build on its strong economy and well-educated workforce to meet the challenges of a fast-ageing population and to tackle rising income inequality, according to a new OECD report.
5-February-2013
English
Korea is well known for its successful transition from hardship to prosperity and technological prowess. This amazing transformation and strong economic performance have allowed the country to make important progress also in the social sphere. However, like most of the members of the OECD, Korea still faces significant challenges to building an equitable and inclusive society.
29-January-2013
English
Although job creation has improved, since the end of the 2007-08 recession, the effects of the recession on the labour market remain severe.
16-January-2013
English, PDF, 522kb
The Netherlands has strongly benefited from globalisation, which boosted international trade, cross-border investment and economic growth over the latest decades.
17-December-2012
English
Progress has been made in narrowing the gender gap in pay, especially in employment, over the past decade but much remains to be done in many countries. Women pay a high price for motherhood, with steep childcare costs and taxes deterring many from working more, according to a new OECD report.
17-December-2012
English
OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría gave opening remarks at the launch of the OECD report, "Closing the Gender Gap: Act Now!"
17-December-2012
English
This report from the OECD Gender Initiative is designed to inform, share policy experiences and good practices, and help governments promote gender equality in education, employment and entrepreneurship. It looks at the state of play from a gender perspective across all three issues, examines how and why inequalities have developed, and which obstacles must be overcome to move towards greater equality.
10-December-2012
English
An interview with Sigbjørn Johnsen, Minister of Finance, Norway. High female participation in the workforce has a decisive effect on a country’s performance, as Norway shows.
28-November-2012
English
This report highlights the issues faced by local areas against the backdrop of policies or planning models that have directed local development in the past decades (e.g. introduction of new industries such as information technology/bio-technology following the de-industrialisation of mining/manufacturing industries) but today appear less suitable than expected to ensure the sustainability of local development.
This report is timely in discussing cases from 20 countries around the world and particularly signalling local strategies and initiatives for policy consideration and learning. The report considers together issues at the crossroads of modern local development in the context of demographic change: population mobility and urban shrinkage, regeneration strategies to stimulate sustainable growth, and social dynamics underpinning community stability.
15-November-2012
English
Public social spending has increased to 22% of GDP on average across the OECD in 2012, up from 19% in 2007. Rising spending-to-GDP ratios are due to a combination of governments increasing expenditure on social supports as unemployment and income support benefits but also because of GDP stagnating or declining in many countries.