Economic Surveys and Country Surveillance

News & Events

News

Reforming the tax system in Japan to promote fiscal sustainability and economic growth

09-Dec-2008

Tax reform is an urgent priority, as Japan needs as much as 5% to 6% of GDP of additional government revenue just to stabilise public debt, which has risen to 180% of GDP.

Enhancing the productivity of the service sector in Japan

09-Dec-2008

Labour productivity growth in the service sector, which accounts for 70% of Japan’s economic output and employment, has slowed markedly in recent years in contrast to manufacturing.

Reforming the labour market in Japan to cope with increasing dualism and population ageing

09-Dec-2008

The proportion of non-regular workers has risen to one-third of total employment. While non-regular employment provides flexibility and cost reductions for firms, it also creates equity and efficiency concerns.

OECD Economic Survey of Spain to be published Wednesday, 19 November 2008

17-Nov-2008

OECD’s latest economic survey of Spain will be published on Wednesday, 19 November 2008. It will include new forecasts and assess the policy challenges facing the country as the global downturn weighs on activity. Special chapters focus on jobs, education and competition.

Improving cost effectiveness in the health care sector in Iceland

16-Oct-2008

Health outcomes and the quality of health care in Iceland are very good by international comparison, while income related health inequality appears to be smaller than in most other countries. However, the health care system is costly and, according to OECD estimates, public expenditure on health and long term care could reach 15% of GDP by 2050 if no restraining measures are taken.

The challenges of monetary policy in Turkey

16-Oct-2008

Monetary policy has been one of the main pillars of the post-2001 stabilisation programme. Encouraged by its success, the central bank shifted from implicit to explicit inflation targeting in 2006 and set a medium-term inflation target of 4%, applicable from end 2007.


Events

Economic Survey of the Euro area – news conference Wednesday 14 January 2009

on 14-Jan-2009

Strengthening the financial system in the wake of the current crisis is one of the key challenges discussed in OECD’s latest economic survey of the Euro area. Secretary-General Angel Gurría will present the report on Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 10.30 a.m. in Paris.

OECD Economic Survey of Australia

on 10-Oct-2008

The OECD’s latest economic survey of Australia, to be published on Friday 10 October 2008, identifies a number of challenges such as tackling inflation, increasing the number of people in work and raising public investment in infrastructure and education.

Official visit of the Secretary-General to South Africa (Pretoria - Johannesburg)

on 15-Jul-2008

During his official visit, Angel Gurría met with the President of the Republic of South Africa and other government officials. He also held a press conference for the release of the first’s OECD Economic Assessment of South Africa.

OECD Economic Survey of Portugal

on 25-Jun-2008

The OECD’s latest economic survey of Portugal, to be published on Wednesday 25 June 2008, looks at how growth can be boosted and made more sustainable by strengthening public finances, enhancing the business environment and improving the efficiency of the labour market.

Seminar: Realising the Oil Supply Potential of the CIS: The Role of Institutions and Policies

on 23-Jun-2006

This Seminar is part of the EDRC Outreach Programme. Experts from the OECD Economics Department, the EBRD and independent academics discuss the scope for improving policies concerning oil exploration, production and transportation in the CIS. While production and reserves are small relative to OPEC they make a big contribution to covering the soaring demand from emerging economies and the United States. A re-emerging dirigisme throughout the region risks imposing a burden on CIS growth potential and limit the regions capacity to reduce OPEC monopoly power.



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