Over the past decade, competition enforcement has been shaped by a series of profound macroeconomic and market shifts. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and accelerated digitalisation; the return of inflation and rising interest rates have altered market dynamics and investment patterns; and geopolitical tensions have introduced new complexities in global trade. At the same time, the emergence of digital platforms, AI technologies and new business models has challenged traditional enforcement frameworks. These developments have given rise to novel theories of harm – such as killer acquisitions, self-preferencing and data-related exclusionary conduct– requiring enforcers to adapt both their analytical tools and legal approaches.
Understanding the direction and intensity of competition enforcement requires more than anecdotal evidence – it demands robust, systematic data. As a results-driven and evidence-based organisation, the OECD recognises that competition enforcement statistics provide an essential lens through which we can assess how competition policy is evolving, where enforcement is being prioritised and whether the tools at our disposal are being used effectively. They help competition authorities reflect not only on the volume of activity, but also on its strategic orientation and alignment with broader policy goals.
This edition of Competition Trends marks a significant milestone: ten years of data collected on competition enforcement statistics. Over the past decade, this dataset has become a valuable resource for understanding how competition policy is implemented across jurisdictions and over time. It allows us to move beyond case studies and empirical observations, offering a more comprehensive view of enforcement trends, priorities and institutional evolution. While aggregate results may not fully reflect the specific realities of each jurisdiction in the sample, they provide valuable insights into the overall landscape and help us better understand our role within it. It enables competition authorities to identify long-term patterns, assess the responsiveness of enforcement to emerging challenges and better understand the interplay between enforcement tools. This special edition aims not only to present the latest figures, but also to take stock of how enforcement has evolved in the past decade in response to new market dynamics and policy debates.
As the Chair of the OECD Competition Committee, I am honoured to contribute to this special edition. Looking ahead, I welcome the work that will be supported by this database, which stands as a strong example of the OECD’s analytical role and of its contribution to fostering international co-operation among competition authorities. Strengthening collaborative efforts and disseminating the use of shared evidence will be essential to addressing increasingly complex and cross-border competition challenges. This report is one step in that direction – helping to build a collective understanding of enforcement activity and encouraging dialogue on how we can work together more effectively.
This year’s report reveals a mixed picture over the decade. Overall enforcement activity has declined, raising questions about whether this reflects a shift in priorities, resource pressures or changes in the nature and complexity of competition enforcement. In contrast, merger control activity has increased, especially post-COVID, suggesting growing attention to prevent market concentration and structural changes across sectors. Market studies usage has also increased overall in the OECD, continuing to serve as a key instrument for improving understanding of how a sector operates and diagnosing competition issues, possibly prior to enforcement.
As we interpret these trends, it is important to consider not only the volume of cases but also their strategic impact. Enforcement remains a cornerstone of competition policy, but its effectiveness depends on the ability to adapt to new challenges, allocate resources wisely and maintain a coherent policy framework.
These trends underscore the importance of maintaining an agile, adaptable approach to competition enforcement. As markets evolve – shaped by new technologies, globalisation and new business models – so too must our enforcement strategies. We hope this report supports informed reflection and dialogue among enforcers, policymakers and stakeholders while contributing to a shared understanding of how competition policy is being implemented in practice.
Benoît Cœuré,
Chair of the OECD Competition Committee