The UK productivity puzzle through the magnifying glass: A sectoral perspective

August 17, 2018

Rafał Kierzenkowski, Gabriel Machlica and Gabor Fulop, Economics Department. Labour productivity has flatlined since the global financial crisis, which contrasts with its recovery profiles from past recessions over the last decades (Figure 1).  The productivity shortfall, defined as the gap between actual productivity and the level implied by its pre-crisis trend growth rate, reached nearly 20% … More The UK productivity puzzle through the magnifying glass: A sectoral perspective

Improving the Czech health care system

August 14, 2018

by Falilou Fall, Czech Republic desk, OECD Economics Department Health outcomes in the Czech Republic have improved considerably over the last decade. Life expectancy rose by 2.6 years to 78.7 years between 2005 and 2015 towards the OECD average of 80.6 years. This was achieved with relatively low expenditures on health care of about 7% … More Improving the Czech health care system

Rising financial integration amplifies the global impact of financial market  shocks

August 9, 2018

by Nigel Pain and Véronique Salins, OECD Economics Department Stronger cross-border economic and financial integration implies that macroeconomic shocks in one country are increasingly likely to spill over into other economies. This is particularly true in national financial markets, where developments increasingly reflect common underlying factors, as shown in the special chapter of the latest OECD … More Rising financial integration amplifies the global impact of financial market  shocks

The global impact of weaker demand growth in China

August 7, 2018

by Nigel Pain and Elena Rusticelli,  Greater international integration has modified the transmission channels and the impact that external shocks have on domestic economies via increased trade openness and exposure to global financial developments. One important change, discussed in the special chapter of the latest OECD Economic Outlook, is that growth prospects in OECD economies … More The global impact of weaker demand growth in China

A sustainable European currency needs a common fiscal stabilisation instrument

August 3, 2018

A sustainable European currency needs a common fiscal stabilisation instrument Jan Stráský and Guillaume Claveres, OECD Economics Department, Euro Area/EU desk The euro area sovereign debt crisis has exposed important flaws in the design of the Economic and Monetary Union, especially when it comes to dealing with macroeconomic shocks. Compared to federal states, fiscal transfers … More A sustainable European currency needs a common fiscal stabilisation instrument

Does public spending foster inclusive growth in your country?

July 31, 2018

by Debbie Bloch, Public Economics Division, Economics Department Governments today need to balance the policy goals of boosting economic growth and improving equity when making budget decisions.  How can public spending choices promote inclusive growth?  What can be learned from previous spending decisions in times of crisis? As it becomes increasingly important for policymakers to … More Does public spending foster inclusive growth in your country?

Delivering on the promise of better outcomes for Canadian women

July 25, 2018

by Andrew Barker, Canada Desk, OECD Economics Department The current Canadian government has declared itself feminist and has taken a number of steps to improve labour market outcomes for women. This includes increased funding for early learning and child care and improving equality of parental leave by introducing five weeks of leave for the second … More Delivering on the promise of better outcomes for Canadian women

Enhancing labour-market integration of immigrants in Canada

July 23, 2018

by David Carey, Head of Canada Desk, OECD Economics Department Canada has long taken in more immigrants relative to its population than most other countries. Immigration policy in Canada aims to promote economic development by selecting immigrants with high levels of human capital, to reunite families and to respond to foreign crises and offer protection … More Enhancing labour-market integration of immigrants in Canada

An empirical investigation on the drivers of income redistribution across OECD countries

July 19, 2018

By Orsetta Causa, OECD Economics department Income inequality has increased in most OECD countries over the past two decades. This has come about both because incomes before taxes and transfers have become more unequally distributed, and because the extent of redistribution through taxes and transfers has fallen (“Income redistribution through taxes and transfers across OECD … More An empirical investigation on the drivers of income redistribution across OECD countries

The Czech economy is thriving but labour shortages will limit growth

July 16, 2018

by Falilou Fall, Head of Czech Desk, OECD Economics Department Growth, driven by both internal and external demand, has been accelerating since 2013 and at 4.6% in 2017 it was more balanced than in previous years. Household consumption is supported by income growth, a declining savings rate as confidence is high, and by rising credit. … More The Czech economy is thriving but labour shortages will limit growth