Governments across the globe are navigating a period of profound transformation and challenge. Aging populations, the twin transitions to digital and green economies, low levels of trust in public institutions, stagnating productivity, and constrained fiscal space are testing the resilience and effectiveness of public institutions like never before. In response, many governments have strengthened their approaches to public governance—through, for example, greater digitalisation, streamlined budgeting, and regulatory simplification. The imperative now is to not only sustain these efforts but to deepen them.
Deepening these efforts requires governments to build trust in public institutions while fostering a renewed sense of shared prosperity. This calls for a deliberate focus on restoring individuals’ sense of dignity in their interaction with governments, enhancing individual and collective sense of security and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government to boost productivity. This edition of Government at a Glance includes a spotlight on the long-term governance of the green transition- a challenge that lies at the intersection of all three areas. As explored in greater depth in Chapter 1, how governments lead this transition will shape public trust and prosperity for generations to come.
With a growing emphasis on governance outcomes, this ninth edition of Government at a Glance presents the latest evidence on public governance tools and resources that can help public administrations in OECD and accession candidate countries address complex, long-term challenges — while allowing progress to be monitored over time. It draws extensively on the analytical and statistical work of the Public Governance Committee, as well as that of the Regulatory Policy and Senior Budget Officials Committees and their subsidiary bodies.
Looking ahead, 2027 will mark two decades of Government at a Glance. The publication has grown in ambition, recognising that an evidence-based approach is essential to support policymaking, enhance accountability and enable governments to adapt to complexity and change. Future editions will continue to deepen and expand the evidence base on public governance- its design, implementation, and tangible impacts on economy and society. This work will include assessing how governance practices align with relevant OECD recommendations, as well as advance the measurement of government efficiency and effectiveness.
This report was approved by the Public Governance Committee on 30 April 2025, and prepared for publication by the OECD Secretariat.