Category: Labour markets

Fostering formal sector job creation to further improve living standards in Indonesia

October 26, 2018

By Christine Lewis, Head of Indonesia Desk, OECD Economics Department The Indonesian economy has grown solidly in recent years, which together with helpful government policies has raised incomes and brought down poverty rates to record lows, as highlighted in the latest OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia (OECD, 2018). Prudent macroeconomic policies have contributed to economic … More Fostering formal sector job creation to further improve living standards in Indonesia

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

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

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

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?

Helping Americans Work Again

June 6, 2018

Douglas Sutherland, Senior Economist, US Desk, Economics Department. The economic expansion in the United States is now one of the longest on record, although it has been sluggish in comparison with previous recoveries. While job growth has reduced the unemployment rate to historically-low levels, many people still remain on the sidelines of the labour market, … More Helping Americans Work Again

Achieving an inclusive and sustainable recovery in Greece

April 30, 2018

by Mauro Pisu and Tim Bulman, Greece Desk, Economics Department Greece is finally recovering from a deep depression. In 2017 GDP expanded by 1.3%, according to initial estimates, and is projected to accelerate to 2% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019 (Figure 1). Labour market reforms have improved competitiveness and exports are leading the expansion. … More Achieving an inclusive and sustainable recovery in Greece

Towards an innovative and inclusive economy in Poland

March 19, 2018

by Nicola Brandt and Pierre Guérin,  Poland Desk, OECD Economics Department The Polish economy is in a strong position. Economic growth reached 4.6% on average in 2017 and the OECD expects it to continue at around 4% over 2018/19. A good external environment, with a solid recovery in the euro area, and the child benefits … More Towards an innovative and inclusive economy in Poland

Four Challenges of Inclusive Growth from the OECD’s chief economist

September 21, 2017

by Catherine L. Mann, Chief Economist and Head of the Economics Department, OECD The challenge of measuring inclusiveness. A standard metric for measuring inequality is the Gini coefficient, which measures income distribution within an economy. But there are many other measures, such as distribution of income deciles, distribution of wealth, distributions of these by regions … More Four Challenges of Inclusive Growth from the OECD’s chief economist