OECD economies are facing new growth opportunities but also challenges. Taking the most out of these opportunities while addressing the challenges will be key to revitalise productivity and secure higher living standards for future generations.
by Stefano Scarpetta, OECD Chief Economist
Read More »The Foundations for Growth and Competitiveness
Electricity and natural gas markets power modern economies. They fuel industrial production and transportation services, enable digital infrastructure, and meet households’ everyday energy needs. Because electricity and gas are inputs needed in almost every economic activity, how these markets perform matters beyond the energy sector itself.
By Cassie Castle, OECD Economics Department
Read More »What’s holding back competition in energy markets?
Rising defence spending may lift economic activity modestly in the short term, but it brings additional fiscal strain while effects on long-run growth are uncertain. Lasting economic benefits are more likely if governments improve procurement and pursue broader structural reforms alongside rearmament.
By Ben Congrave and Young-Hyun Shin, OECD Economics Department
Read More »Defence spending: Economic gains or lasting fiscal challenges?
Austria enjoys high living standards, strong institutions and a highly skilled workforce. But the economy was hit hard by the energy price shocks following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. After a strong rebound from the pandemic, activity slowed sharply in 2023–24, leading to a prolonged recession and a sizeable fiscal deficit that stood at 4.5% of GDP in 2025.
By Falilou Fall, OECD Economics Department
Read More »Austria: Restoring the public finances in the face of ageing
Croatia’s economy has experienced robust and resilient GDP growth and improved living standards over the past decade. Yet a rapidly shrinking and ageing population threatens future growth and fiscal sustainability. Advancing pension, health care and labour market reforms will be essential to extend working lives, improve healthy ageing and raise labour force participation.
By Federica De Pace and Oliver Roehn, OECD Economics Department
Read More »Navigating demographic headwinds in Croatia
Romania has made remarkable progress in converging toward OECD income levels over the past two decades, supported by deeper integration into global markets, substantial capital inflows, and wide‑ranging economic reforms.
by Katja Schmidt, OECD Economics Department
Read More »Strengthening Romania’s competitiveness
Long-term sovereign bond yields have risen as fiscal pressures mount and central banks step back from bond markets. With private investors playing a larger role, borrowing costs may remain higher and markets may become more volatile, raising important questions for debt management and financial stability.
By Masatoshi Ando, Ben Conigrave, Álvaro Pina and Caroline Roulet, OECD Economics Department.
Read More »The investor base for sovereign debt: Recent developments and potential implications
Thailand has made considerable economic advances over recent decades, but progress has slowed over the past several years, notably in productivity growth.
By Philip Hemmings, Jens Arnold, Charles Dennery and Isabella Medina, OECD Economics Department
Read More »Raising Thailand’s productivity through regulatory reform
Argentina is going through one of the most comprehensive reform efforts in its history. Since late 2023, the authorities have taken unprecedented measures to reform fiscal, monetary, trade and regulatory policies, all of which have triggered significant improvements in the business environment. For this transformation to translate into new jobs and better living standards, policymakers need to continue reducing institutional and market frictions that impose costs on the reallocation of workers from low- to high-productivity sectors.
Read More »Why Argentina needs a labour market reform