Publications

Will be released on 28 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 79

Bulgaria has made notable labour market and social progress in recent years. However, the country faces a pressing demographic challenge, with a rapidly declining and ageing population, which will have significant repercussions on its labour market and economy. In addition, large labour market disparities across different population groups persist and informal employment remains widespread. Poverty is still common in Bulgaria despite rising living standards, and particularly minorities, including immigrants, face social disadvantage. This report provides an overview of the main labour market and social challenges facing Bulgaria and a comprehensive analysis of Bulgaria’s policies and practices compared with best practices in OECD countries in the fields of labour, social and migration policy. It also includes recommendations on how Bulgaria can tackle key challenges. The report will be of interest to Bulgaria as well as to other countries that are looking to promote more inclusive labour markets and societies.

Impacts of Technology Developments and Policy Measures

Will be released on 28 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 109

Maritime transport underpins global trade, moving around 80% of goods worldwide. At the same time, it accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As momentum builds for cleaner shipping, the shipbuilding industry plays a critical role in designing, constructing, and retrofitting vessels than can operate on alternative fuels, advanced propulsion systems, and energy-efficient technologies. With the International Maritime Organisation’s 2023 GHG strategy setting a clear course, the industry is accelerating the development of low- and zero-emission solutions. Yet, challenges remain— an aging fleet, diverse ship types, high fuel costs, and investment gaps all influence the pace of progress. This report examines how new ship designs, fuel technologies, and technology innovations are reshaping maritime transport and explores the key enablers driving this transformation forward.

Insights from several OECD countries

Will be released on 28 April 2025
Author: Suzannah Chapman
Language: English
Number of pages: 85

The rapid evolution of digital health technologies offers new opportunities for healthcare systems while also increasing pressure on public budgets. Governments and insurers face growing challenges in determining what to fund and at what price. Health technology assessment (HTA) remains a critical tool for informing these decisions, and several OECD countries are exploring ways to adapt their approaches to the fast-changing and diverse landscape of digital medical devices. The absence of a common taxonomy, coupled with the rapid pace of technological advancement, further complicates evaluation, prompting interest in more harmonised HTA approaches. This paper explores how France, Germany, Israel, Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom are adapting HTA to evaluate certain types of digital medical devices for coverage and pricing decisions. Through desk research and interviews, it describes HTA approaches, focusing on relevant pathways, technology remits, and evaluation methods. Drawing on practical experiences, it highlights key challenges and potential learning opportunities. The findings contribute to ongoing discussions on adapting HTA frameworks to improve the assessment and integration of digital medical devices into healthcare systems.

BAT for Preventing and Controlling Industrial Pollution – Activity 8

Will be released on 28 April 2025 at 09:00 CET
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 36

This report consolidates findings from two key engagements: capacity-building workshops held in Hanoi, Viet Nam, involving the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), and with the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat/India. Both workshops focused on the development and implementation of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and BAT Reference Documents (BREFs), exploring their status, associated challenges and actionable solutions. The insights gained offer a comparative perspective on advancing industrial pollution prevention and control across Iron-steel, textiles and paper-pulp sectors and inform ongoing OECD work areas.

Will be released on 28 April 2025 at 14:30 CET
Author: OECD
Languages: French-English
Number of pages: 117

Institutional Framework and Trends

Will be released on 29 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 75

Sweden has one of the largest and most active equity markets in the European Union. Small companies use public markets to a much larger extent than in comparable countries and the level of household engagement in domestic capital markets is high. This report assesses the Swedish equity market, drawing from original data and in-depth interviews with market participants. It also discusses the policy initiatives that have promoted the growth of the Swedish market, including the local regulatory and corporate governance models.

Panorama de bonnes pratiques pour une participation effective des citoyens

Will be released on 29 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: French
Number of pages: 122

Face à l’urgence climatique et environnementale, l’implication active des citoyens dans la réponse apportée est essentielle pour assurer sa mise en œuvre efficace, ainsi que renforcer la confiance dans les décisions publiques. Pour ce faire, les gouvernements ont l’opportunité de repenser les modes de gouvernance de l’agenda vert en s’appuyant sur les principes du gouvernement ouvert – transparence, redevabilité et participation. Ce rapport recueille des bonnes pratiques, identifiées dans les pays Membres et partenaires de l’OCDE, qui témoignent de la mobilisation des pratiques du gouvernement ouvert pour (ré)engager les citoyens dans la transition verte. À travers des initiatives pour renforcer l’accès aux informations environnementales et aux données ouvertes vertes, un usage stratégique de la communication publique prenant appui sur des pratiques innovantes, et des mécanismes et processus de participation citoyenne déployés à divers niveaux de gouvernement, il met en lumière les opportunités et leviers à actionner tout au long du cycle des politiques publiques pour assurer une participation effective des citoyens à la transition verte, favoriser la pleine appropriation des enjeux et réponses apportées, et les doter des moyens de devenir des acteurs de premier plan de cette transition.

Beyond the hype

Will be released on 30 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 51

Will be released on 30 April 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 12

This edition of FDI in Figures shows that in 2024, global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows rose by 1% compared to 2023, but fell by 9% when excluding large transactions in selected European countries. Amid widespread geopolitical challenges, cross-border M&A activity also struggled to recover, with deal values increased by just 9% from a decade-low. Published twice yearly, FDI in Figures analyses key developments and trends in global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows using the most recent official FDI statistics.

Decomposition of Personal Income Taxes and the Role of Tax Reliefs

Will be released on 30 April 2025 at 11:00 CET
Author: OECD
Languages: English-French
Number of pages: 206

This annual publication provides details of taxes paid on wages in OECD countries. This year’s edition focuses on the decomposition of personal income taxes and the role of tax reliefs, which can take the form of tax allowances or tax credits on the taxes levied by different levels of government. For the year 2024, the report also examines personal income taxes and social security contributions paid by employees, social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by employers, and cash benefits received by workers. It illustrates how these taxes and benefits are calculated in each member country and examines how they impact household incomes. The results also enable quantitative cross-country comparisons of labour cost levels and the overall tax and benefit position of single persons and families on different levels of earnings. The publication shows average and marginal effective tax rates on labour costs for eight different household types, which vary by income level and household composition (single persons, single parents, one or two earner couples with or without children). The average tax rates measure the part of gross wage earnings or labour costs taken in tax and social security contributions, both before and after cash benefits, and the marginal tax rates the part of a small increase of gross earnings or labour costs that is paid in these levies.

Will be released on 2 May 2025
Author: OECD
Languages: French-English-Thai
Number of pages: 75

Peer reviews of competition law and policy are a valuable tool to reform and strengthen a country’s competition framework. This peer review of Thailand presents the evolution of its competition regime over the last few years and assesses the effectiveness of its current competition law and policy. It provides recommendations to help Thailand strengthen its competition regime and institutions, developed and discussed at the peer review examination carried out during the 2024 Global Forum on Competition.

Will be released on 5 May 2025 at 08:00 CET
Author: OECD
Languages: English-French
Number of pages: 297

Global Trends and Enforcement Challenges

Will be released on 6 May 2025
Authors: OECD, European Union Intellectual Property Office
Language: English
Number of pages: 58

The increasing interconnectedness of global economies has created new opportunities for trade and innovation, yet it has also become more challenging to protect intellectual property and enforce trade regulations. Expanding supply chains and the rise of e-commerce have facilitated illicit trade, particularly in the trade of counterfeit goods; these pose risks to public safety, disrupt legitimate businesses, and impact economic stability. This report provides an analysis of global trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, using the latest (2021) customs seizure data. It offers an overview of the scope, scale, and key characteristics of such illicit trade, with a focus on the European Union. The findings are concerning: in 2021, counterfeit and pirated goods accounted for up to 2.3% of global trade and up to 4.7% of EU imports. This report also examines emerging trends and highlights the need for co-ordinated international efforts to secure supply chains.

Will be released on 6 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 118

The economy of Panama has exhibited strong growth since the turn of the century, and despite shrinking by 18% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recovered quickly in subsequent years. This recovery reflects the country’s economic resilience, buttressed by a fiscal response to the crisis commensurate with the dimension of the challenge, mobilising 3% of GDP to fight the pandemic. The crisis also highlighted significant vulnerabilities in Panama’s development model, including the dual nature of its labour market, where less productive informal work remains widespread, and the limited reach of its social protection system. In contrast to the rapid economic rebound, the social consequences of the pandemic are likely to be more long-lasting effects. The response and stimulus packages found new ways to address these issues innovating in social protection, in support to the productive sector and in mobilisation of resources. This report draws lessons from policy measures implemented during the pandemic and recovery phase and applies them to current strategic challenges. In doing so, it highlights policy priorities to make Panama’s development path more inclusive, stronger and more resilient.

Will be released on 6 May 2025 at 09:00 CET
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 300

Ukraine has made significant strides in reforming its anti-corruption framework in the past decade. It has done so by enhancing transparency, accountability, and integrity through open data, digitalisation, and bolstering of the independence of anti-corruption bodies. However, corruption risks remain high in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which makes having a robust public integrity system more critical than ever to ensure a transparent and effective reconstruction process. This review delivers recommendations to strengthen Ukraine’s legal and institutional framework, embed a culture of integrity in state bodies and society, enhance judicial accountability, and reinforce control and audit mechanisms. It also explores ways to reinforce whistleblower protection, implement lobbying regulations and promote business integrity – through awareness raising, adoption of company-level anti-corruption compliance programmes and incentivising good corporate behaviour through public advantages and criminal law measures. Together, these measures can help to promote trust, drive economic recovery and sustain international support for Ukraine now and in the future.

Will be released on 7 May 2025
Authors: OECD, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia
Language: English
Number of pages: 166

Ageing will be very fast in Southeast Asia and most ASEAN countries have a very large share of informal employment. Promoting active ageing aims to ensure that older people can age healthily and independently and avoid feeling insecure, in particular in terms of income. This could be achieved by putting into action policies that foster the well-being of older people through their participation in the labour market and their engagement in various aspects of life, such as volunteering. Key active ageing policies in the ten ASEAN countries should focus on: tackling labour market informality; reducing gender inequalities in old age and improving care provision; providing inclusive access to health care; enhancing social protection in old age; and, promoting the social participation of older people. This report highlights the main measures to be taken in these five areas.

Will be released on 7 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 180

The New Professionalism and the Future of Teaching project has devised a theoretical framework that allows stakeholders in education to construct a shared vision on what the teaching profession could look like in the future. This study in Austria seeks to anticipate and increase deeper, structured thinking about medium- and long-term scenarios for teacher professionalism and empowerment. Potential benefits for the system include long-term strategic thinking regarding the Austrian teacher workforce and finding solutions to issues that transcend the short-term. The results of the study point to a focus on collaborative school cultures, teacher autonomy and professional identity, leadership (on various levels) and an innovation culture with a diversity of roles within the teacher workforce, as elements of specific importance in thinking about the possible future of the teaching profession in Austria.

Will be released on 7 May 2025 at 09:00 CET
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 120

The Scoreboard, whose pilot version was first released in 2023, is a tool to monitor and assess the Western Balkans’ progress towards economic convergence with the European Union (EU). It supports policy-makers in pinpointing priority areas for narrowing the gap between the region and the EU, drawing on over 35 indicators across five policy clusters essential for sustainable and inclusive growth. These clusters are infrastructure and connectivity, skills, business environment, digital transformation and greening. The Scoreboard primarily draws on the data and input collected as part of decade-long policy assessments conducted by the OECD, most notably the Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook and SME Policy Index for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.

Will be released on 7 May 2025 at 09:00 CET
Author: OECD
Languages: English-French
Number of pages: 84

Le rôle de la fiscalité générale, des cotisations sociales et de la contribution du secteur informel

Will be released on 12 May 2025 at 11:00 CET
Author: OECD
Language: French
Number of pages: 150

L’ampleur de l’emploi informel et la faiblesse de l’assistance sociale témoignent des défis importants en matière de protection sociale auxquels le Sénégal fait face. Aujourd’hui, moins d’un Sénégalais sur quatre bénéficie d’un programme de protection sociale, tandis que les prestations associées restent limitées. Ce rapport explore comment le pays peut élargir la couverture sociale et garantir son financement de manière durable. Il détaille les leviers pour élargir l’espace budgétaire, notamment par un renforcement de la mobilisation des recettes fiscales, une rationalisation des dépenses fiscales et une réforme des subventions à l’énergie. Le rapport examine également les mesures pertinentes pour renforcer les régimes contributifs et favoriser la transition vers le travail formel. Ce faisant, il offre des pistes de réflexions et recommandations pour les décideurs, chercheurs et partenaires au développement engagés dans le développement d’un système de protection sociale inclusif et durable au Sénégal.

Lessons from Lithuania, Italy, and Malta

Will be released on 14 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 108

Reforms for a Fair and Green Future

Will be released on 14 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 400

Insights from the OECD Risks that Matter Survey

Will be released on 15 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 120

Social spending has declined in the United Kingdom over the last decade or so, reflecting efforts to limit public spending in the wake of the financial crisis. Using data from the 2022 OECD Risks That Matter (RTM) Survey, a multi-country survey covering 27 OECD countries, this report examines perceptions of social risks and attitudes towards social protection in the United Kingdom. Results point to a country that feels relatively vulnerable to social risks, especially in comparison to several of its peers in the G7 and other wealthy OECD economies. Looking forward, there is strong support in the United Kingdom for an expansion of social protection. Results are consistent with evidence from UK sources that suggest attitudes in the United Kingdom have been shifting in favour of increased taxation, spending and redistribution.

Will be released on 15 May 2025 at 11:00 CET
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 180

Highlights of a National Dialogue on Water

Will be released on 19 May 2025
Authors: OECD, Asia Water Council
Language: English
Number of pages: 170

Lessons from 14 Northern Sparsely Populated Areas

Will be released on 19 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 150

Will be released on 19 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 170

Updated evidence to inform national data collections

Will be released on 26 May 2025
Authors: Conal Smith, Jessica Mahoney, Margreet Frieling, Hinako Percival
Language: English
Number of pages: 73

This working paper examines globally inclusive approaches to measuring subjective well-being. The paper reviews concerns that existing research may be overly focused on certain population groups from wealthier countries, that are not internationally representative. While the evidence base that informed the 2013 OECD Guidelines on Measuring Subjective Well-being is found to draw on a wide range of cross-country studies, there are important gaps in global and intra-country sampling and certain populations remain underrepresented. An overview of new literature suggests four recurring classes of subjective well-being measures that are not currently well-captured: 1) low arousal positive affect; 2) relational affect; 3) social well-being; and 4) relational well-being. To enable inclusion of these measures, strong evidence is required to show that measures accurately reflect the intended concepts. Current evidence on the reliability and validity of most measures is limited and the paper concludes with a proposed question module for further testing.

Will be released on 30 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 100

Peru has made remarkable progress in delivering healthcare services over the past decades, leading to large improvements in most general population health indicators. Health insurance coverage has increased steadily since the 2009 health reforms. The country is now close to achieving universal health coverage, with the Integral Health Insurance (Seguro Integral de Salud) playing a crucial role in reaching poor and underserved rural communities. However, Peru continues to grapple with a health system that remains both segmented and fragmented, with multiple public sub-systems serving different population groups. The health system still lacks the integration and co-ordination needed to ensure equitable access to high-quality care for all Peruvians. Addressing these challenges requires strengthening quality governance, investing in high-impact healthcare service improvements, and curbing inefficiencies. This review assesses the performance of Peru’s health system and provides key recommendations for achieving a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable healthcare system aligned with OECD standards.

Will be released on 30 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 74

Governments around the world are making significant efforts to deliver more effective public services, reduce administrative burdens, improve communication, and enhance citizens’ experiences with government formalities. In these efforts, regulatory improvement tools such as administrative simplification, digital licensing, and one-stop shops play a central role. In recent years, Costa Rica has introduced the digital one-stop shop Single Investment Window (Ventanilla Unica de Inversiones, VUI), which brings together all the formalities necessary for investing in the country. The VUI reduces burdens for entrepreneurs and businesspersons by providing a single digital point of contact for various licenses and permits issued by different government agencies. In this way, it helps boost Costa Rica’s competitiveness and attract more investment. This report provides an overview of the VUI, as well as a comparative analysis of its design and operation using OECD best practice principles in one-stop shops as a benchmark. The report also provides recommendations to improve the performance of the VUI.

Ensuring Integrity and Efficiency

Will be released on 30 May 2025
Author: OECD
Language: English
Number of pages: 70