OECD Observer

Climate change: the biggest threat to economic recovery

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After a year of pain and pessimism, we are starting to see signs of an economic recovery. Green shoots are sprouting. Governments' bold economic and financial actions of over the past year are beginning to take effect.

Jobs are the bottom line of the global crisis

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Latest economic data

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Roundtable on the jobs crisis

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ministers responsible for employment from around the world gathered at the OECD on 28-29 September to discuss the jobs crisis. In our eighth OECD Observer ministers' roundtable, we ask six representatives, from Canada (co-Chair), Italy (co-Chair), Sweden (vice-Chair), France, New Zealand, and Chile, which is a candidate for OECD accession: What new policy actions are you taking to improve the jobs situation in your country?

Jobs crisis

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Unemployment is rising to unprecedented high levels. There are several good policies governments can deploy to tackle it, but there are risks to avoid too.

Invest in employability

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Respond to the needs of the newly unemployed while continuing to engage with people who are disadvantaged within the labour market: this is the major challenge facing employment ministers today.

Decent work matters

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In most OECD countries, unemployment protection systems don't provide adequate social security during a severe economic crisis and periods of high and persisting unemployment. Not only that, benefits can even run out within much less than a year and often before unemployed workers can find new jobs. Also, income support in many countries barely ever covers more than half a worker's previous salary, and sometimes much less.

Progress, what progress?

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The global economic crisis has focused minds on restoring growth. But does growth necessarily mean progress? What about factors which growth depends on, such as the environment or happiness? Measuring true progress demands new indicators and a major global project to develop them is now underway.

Grappling with grain prices

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A three-pronged grain reserve system could protect poor countries from volatile food prices and shocks, and help respond to food emergencies.

Financial markets: For whose benefit?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Banks and investment companies are more than mere financial firms. They hold and manage assets, such as retirement income, on behalf of others, whether individuals, companies or governments. In short, they have a fiduciary role to fulfil, based on trust. So why have the beneficiaries not really benefitted?

Kim Dae-jung: A tribute

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Korea's joining the OECD in 1996 was an important milestone in the globalisation of the organisation. It remains the only Asian country to have joined the OECD since Japan in 1964. Its membership was also an important recognition of the exceptional economic, social and political progress Korea had made in previous decades, rising from the ashes of war to become a world economic power and full-fledged democracy.