The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council requested the OECD to assess institutions and capabilities to analyse productivity trends and drivers based on macro and micro-data and develop policy-oriented recommendations and plans to improve productivity in Thailand. This report builds on the OECD’s longstanding and extensive research on data and methodologies to measure productivity dynamics, policies to revive productivity growth and pro-productivity institutions to bring productivity issues to the attention of policymakers.
The report relies on various sources and information provided by Thai institutions involved in compiling productivity metrics, analysing domestic trends, providing policy advice and guidance to enhance productivity. It builds on analytical reports and national plans, surveys and data collection instruments and methodologies used by the Thai institutions, a detailed questionnaire circulated by the OECD to key Thai institutions, as well as semi-structured interviews with officials and experts from these institutions. The analysis also benefitted from a peer learning event organised with experts from France, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss the development and use of data, methodologies and expert advice to design and implement pro-productivity policies. Preliminary findings and recommendations were discussed with the Thai authorities during a policy mission to Thailand. The recommendations presented in this report complement the policy recommendations aimed at boosting productivity presented in the 2023 OECD Economic Survey of Thailand (OECD, 2023[1]).
The report is structured as follows. Chapter 1 examines the institutional set-up, activities and cooperation practices of Thailand’s pro-productivity institutions. Chapter 2 focuses on productivity data and analysis and Chapter 3 addresses the use of productivity analysis for policymaking. Each chapter includes action-oriented sequenced recommendations on strengthening pro-productivity institutions, data, analysis and methods.