Regional Development Policy

OECD WORK ON STRENGTHENING REGIONS

Regional development is a broad term but can be seen as a general effort to enhance well-being and living standards in all region types, from cities to rural areas, and improve their contribution to national performance and more inclusive, resilient societies.

WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Disparities exist worldwide between countries – but also within countries across regions. Regional development policy or place-based policies aim to reduce regional disparities by supporting economic activities in all regions. In today’s context, these policies are more important than ever.

Place-blind policies (subsidies) have failed to reduce regional disparities significantly – nor have they been able to help individual lagging regions catch up. The result is under-used economic potential and weakened social cohesion. Place-based policies go well beyond direct support for lagging regions, to include:

adapting to specific territorial assets
investment strategies
attractiveness strategies
optimising complementarities
efficient multi-level governance systems
stakeholder involvement

DISPARITIES ACROSS OECD COUNTRIES

Get more granular data at the OECD statistical Atlas for regions and cities - over 100 more indicators.

WHAT CAN THE OECD OFFER?

OECD work on regional policy, multi-level governance and policies tailored to rural and urban areas, has evolved towards producing data, analysis and standards serving economy-wide objectives, such as: