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

Improving the quality of business investment in Turkey

July 13, 2018

by Rauf Gonenc, Head of the Turkey Desk, OECD Economics Department Turkey’s business sector exhibits one of the highest investment rates among OECD countries. However, the 2018 Economic Survey of Turkey (OECD, 2018) suggests that the quality of investment could be enhanced by overcoming the fragmentation of the business sector and by improving the current … More Improving the quality of business investment in Turkey

Growth remains buoyant in Turkey but fundamentals need to be strengthened

July 13, 2018

by Volker Ziemann, Turkey Desk, OECD Economics Department Despite numerous headwinds and adverse shocks, Turkey’s real GDP has grown by more than 34% over the past 5 years, faster than any other OECD country except for Ireland and only slightly less than China and India. The revision of national accounts in early 2017 not only … More Growth remains buoyant in Turkey but fundamentals need to be strengthened

Fiscal decentralisation and inclusive growth?

July 12, 2018

by Sean Dougherty, Senior Advisor, OECD Fiscal Network Over the last decade or more, many countries have experienced slowing productivity growth and a rising concentration of income. Concerns about these developments have motivated a broadening of the policy discussion about how to ensure that economic growth is made more inclusive and multidimensional. One important channel for … More Fiscal decentralisation and inclusive growth?

To shorten or to lengthen debt maturity to lower debt servicing costs?

July 9, 2018

By Alessandro Maravalle and Lukasz Rawdanowicz, OECD Economics Department Low interest rates prevailing in many advanced economies in recent years have already helped to lower the debt servicing burden, but government debt and interest payments remain large in many OECD countries. Could a further reduction in interest payments be attained by “locking-in” current low interest … More To shorten or to lengthen debt maturity to lower debt servicing costs?

Korea needs a paradigm shift to sustain its convergence to the highest-income countries

July 6, 2018

By Randall S. Jones, Korea Desk, OECD Economics Department Korea’s transformation from one of the poorest countries in the world in the 1950s to a major industrial power and member of the OECD was exceptionally rapid, reflecting good policies, notably sound fiscal and monetary policy, high levels of investment in human and physical capital and … More Korea needs a paradigm shift to sustain its convergence to the highest-income countries

Lithuania: A fast-growing economy needs to boost inclusiveness

July 5, 2018

by Hansjörg Blöchliger and Vassiliki Koutsogeorgopoulou, Lithuania Desk, OECD Economics Department Lithuania is one of the fastest growing economies in the OECD. After a strong rebound in 2017, growth is set to average more than 3% over this year and the next led by buoyant investment. Falling unemployment and rapidly increasing wages support consumption, although … More Lithuania: A fast-growing economy needs to boost inclusiveness

Brexit and Dutch Exports: Fewer glasshouses, more glass towers as agri-food shrinks and finance gains.

July 3, 2018

by Donal Smith, OECD Trade Directorate and Economics Department The Netherlands is likely to be one of the European countries that is going to be significantly affected by the United Kingdom’s planned departure from the European Union (Brexit). As an open economy with strong trade and investment links to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands is … More Brexit and Dutch Exports: Fewer glasshouses, more glass towers as agri-food shrinks and finance gains.

The rise of self-employment in the Netherlands: is the “polder model” at risk?

July 2, 2018

By Mark Baker, Netherlands Desk, OECD Economics Department The Netherlands has experienced a large rise in the number of individuals working as self-employed with the share in total employment rising rapidly over the past decade. This is the largest rise in the OECD countries. This contrasts with trends in most other OECD countries where the … More The rise of self-employment in the Netherlands: is the “polder model” at risk?