Low oil prices and monetary easing are boosting growth in the world’s major economies, but the near-term pace of expansion remains modest, withabnormally low inflation and interest rates pointing to risks of financial instability, according to the OECD’s latest Interim Economic Assessment.

The Japanese economy is on a path to stronger growth, but fundamental structural reforms are urgently needed to promote a more robust recovery, address high levels of government debt and reverse a trend toward declining living standards, according to the latest OECD Economic Survey of Japan.

Specific country notes have been prepared using data from the database OECD Health Statistics 2015, July 2015 version. The notes are available in PDF format.

Agriculture is a provider of commodities such as food, feed, fibre and fuel, and it can bring both positive and negative impacts on the environment. Yet most policy measures target farm systems, inputs and practices and agricultural infrastructure (driving forces) rather than the provision of agri-environmental public goods (environmental outcomes).

Achieving strong growth in the global economy remains elusive, with only a modest recovery in advanced economies and slower activity in emerging markets, according to the OECD’s latest Interim Economic Outlook.

Japan must make revitalising growth its number one priority with reforms to boost productivity and encourage more women and older people into jobs to compensate for its rapidly shrinking labour force, according to the OECD.

The global economy is stuck in a low-growth trap that will require more coordinated and comprehensive use of fiscal, monetary and structural policies to move to a higher growth path and ensure that promises are kept to both young and old, according to the OECD’s latest Global Economic Outlook.

In December 2014, the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions agreed to send a High Level Mission to Japan due to longstanding serious concerns about Japan’s implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

A high-level Working Group mission will visit Tokyo on 29-30 June 2016 and meet senior Japanese government officials.

The Japanese economy has gained momentum and is creating jobs, according to a new OECD report. The latest OECD Economic Survey of Japan, presented in Tokyo by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, says that per capita growth rates in recent years have matched those across the OECD – a major improvement. The Survey underlines the key role Abenomics has played in the economic revival.

Facilitating female employment is particularly important given Japan’s shrinking and ageing population, which has already contributed to labour shortages.

To improve productivity and help address socio-economic challenges, such as ageing, Japan needs to strengthen its innovation performance.

Between 1999 and 2014, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Japan dropped by 21% as a result of the retirement of ageing business owners and weak entrepreneurial intentions in the Japanese population.

The OECD has appointed Masamichi Kono as a Deputy Secretary-General. He will replace Rintaro Tamaki, who will be stepping down after six fruitful years in the post.

The fourth annual edition of Revenue Statistics in Asian Countries covers seven countries, including Kazakhstan for the first time. It shows that the tax-to-GDP ratio in all these countries are lower than the OECD average of 34.3% in 2015, which highlights that scope remains for increasing tax mobilisation, especially in Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and the Philippines to achieve sustainable growth.

These graphs offer a brief summary of the commodity trade situation in the country.

Japan must improve job quality and further reform the mandatory retirement age to address upfront the challenges of its rapidly ageing and shrinking labour force, according to a new OECD report.

The Japanese economy is undergoing the longest expansion in its post-war history, marked by strong job creation and business investment. Government policy must overcome the intertwined challenges posed by rapid population ageing and high government debt to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth for future generations, according to a new report from the OECD.

Japan’s agriculture sector has traditionally been characterised by small-scale rice production, but has recently begun to respond to new market opportunities for higher value food products across a rapidly growing East Asia. Today, rice represents less than 20% of the value of agriculture production, and larger, more productive, and more profitable farm businesses now account for more than half of total agriculture output.

At their Summit in Osaka this weekend, G20 leaders agreed on a range of priorities for which analysis and support from the OECD and other international organisations are playing a crucial role.

Japan's tax-to-GDP ratio was 30.6% in 2016* (latest available data), below the OECD average (34.2%) by 3.6 percentage points, and above the LAC and Africa (21)* averages (22.8% and 18.2%, respectively).

The tax-to-GDP ratio in Japan increased by 0.7 percentage points from 30.7% in 2016 to 31.4% in 2017 (latest year available). The corresponding figures for the OECD average were a decrease of 0.2 percentage points from 34.4% to 34.2% over the same period.

Medical Doctors in Luxembourg increased to 3.31 per 1000 people in 2017 from 3.10 per 1000 people in 2016. Medical Doctors in Luxembourg averaged 3.02 per 1000 people from 2004 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 3.31 per 1000 people in 2017 and a record low of 2.72 per 1000 people in 2004. This page includes a chart with historical data for Luxembourg Medical Doctors.

ICU Beds in Luxembourg averaged 430.98 per 100K people from 2004 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 502.28 per 100K people in December of 2004 and a record low of 395.70 per 100K people in December of 2012. This page includes a chart with historical data for Luxembourg ICU Beds.

Housing Index in Luxembourg increased to 137.56 points in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 134.37 points in the third quarter of 2019. Housing Index in Luxembourg averaged 94.83 points from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 137.56 points in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 72.67 points in the first quarter of 2007. In Luxembourg, the House Price Index measures residential property market prices. The HPI captures price changes of all kinds of residential property purchased by households (flats, detached houses, terraced houses, etc.), both new and existing. Only market prices are considered, self-build dwellings are therefore excluded. The land component of the residential property is included. This page provides - Luxembourg House Price Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Exports of Original Equipment Components CMLV in South Africa increased to 1.57 ZAR Million in March from 1.49 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Original Equipment Components CMLV in South Africa averaged 6.41 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 21.42 ZAR Million in December of 2017 and a record low of 0.11 ZAR Million in January of 2017. South Africa accounts for Exports of Original Equipment Components using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Original Equipment Components CMLV.

Exports of Plastic & Rubber Articles in South Africa increased to 1739.09 ZAR Million in March from 1626.60 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Plastic & Rubber Articles in South Africa averaged 1528.57 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2005.67 ZAR Million in February of 2019 and a record low of 865.51 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Plastic & Rubber Articles.

Exports of Plastics & Rubber CMLV in South Africa increased to 4849.04 ZAR Million in March from 3122.78 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Plastics & Rubber CMLV in South Africa averaged 9476.78 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 20766.44 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 855.76 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Plastics & Rubber using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Plastics & Rubber CMLV.

Exports of Precious Metals in South Africa increased to 25591.49 ZAR Million in March from 21916.46 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Precious Metals in South Africa averaged 16266.84 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 25591.49 ZAR Million in March of 2020 and a record low of 9160.76 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Precious Metals.

Exports of Precious Metals CMLV in South Africa increased to 69543.06 ZAR Million in March from 44403.13 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Precious Metals CMLV in South Africa averaged 95330.43 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 217821.31 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 9160.76 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Precious Metals using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Precious Metals CMLV.

Exports of Precision Instruments CMLV in South Africa increased to 2113.53 ZAR Million in March from 1463.71 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Precision Instruments CMLV in South Africa averaged 3315.45 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 7384.28 ZAR Million in December of 2016 and a record low of 317.66 ZAR Million in January of 2017. South Africa accounts for Exports of Precision Instruments using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Precision Instruments CMLV.

Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs Beverages & Tobacco in South Africa increased to 3490.92 ZAR Million in March from 2608.19 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs Beverages & Tobacco in South Africa averaged 2920.53 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 4194.88 ZAR Million in October of 2018 and a record low of 1704.27 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs Beverages & Tobacco.

Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs CMLV in South Africa increased to 8211.67 ZAR Million in March from 4721.24 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs CMLV in South Africa averaged 17455.80 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 39028.74 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 1704.27 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Prepared Foodstuffs CMLV.

Exports of Pulp of Wood CMLV in South Africa increased to 5319.37 ZAR Million in March from 3850.41 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Pulp of Wood CMLV in South Africa averaged 8821.04 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 20105.60 ZAR Million in December of 2016 and a record low of 846.05 ZAR Million in January of 2019. South Africa accounts for Exports of Pulp of Wood using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Pulp of Wood CMLV.

Exports of Raw Hides Skins Leather & Furskins in South Africa decreased to 218.71 ZAR Million in March from 236.74 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Raw Hides Skins Leather & Furskins in South Africa averaged 323.27 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 452.29 ZAR Million in February of 2015 and a record low of 162.35 ZAR Million in January of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Raw Hides Skins Leather & Furskins.

Exports: Special Classification Provisions Spare Parts in South Africa decreased to 0.07 ZAR Million in March from 1.38 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports: Special Classification Provisions Spare P in South Africa averaged 1.09 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 16.61 ZAR Million in December of 2017 and a record low of 0 ZAR Million in April of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Special Classification Provisions Spar.

Exports: Stone Plaster Cement Ceramics & Glass Products in South Africa increased to 414.01 ZAR Million in March from 376.95 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports: Stone Plaster Cement Ceramics & Glass Pro in South Africa averaged 345.72 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 540.34 ZAR Million in April of 2016 and a record low of 209.16 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Stone Plaster Cement Ceramics & Glass.

Exports of Textiles & Textile Products in South Africa increased to 1203.57 ZAR Million in March from 1151.43 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Textiles & Textile Products in South Africa averaged 847.24 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 1373.86 ZAR Million in November of 2019 and a record low of 431.68 ZAR Million in July of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Textiles & Textile Products.

Exports of Textiles & Textiles Articles CMLV in South Africa increased to 3169.32 ZAR Million in March from 1966.43 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Textiles & Textiles Articles CMLV in South Africa averaged 4956.25 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 11826.86 ZAR Million in December of 2018 and a record low of 459.98 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Textiles & Textiles Articles using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Textiles & Textiles Articles CMLV.

Exports of Transport Equipment CMLV in South Africa increased to 35409.53 ZAR Million in March from 20677.28 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Transport Equipment CMLV in South Africa averaged 63664.11 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 162755.07 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 4834.33 ZAR Million in January of 2018. South Africa accounts for Exports of Transport Equipment using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Transport Equipment CMLV.

Exports of Vegetable Products in South Africa increased to 5893.59 ZAR Million in March from 5286.37 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Vegetable Products in South Africa averaged 4470.80 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 8298.46 ZAR Million in July of 2018 and a record low of 1800.62 ZAR Million in November of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Vegetable Products.

Exports of Vegetable Products CMLV in South Africa increased to 15936.77 ZAR Million in March from 10050.24 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Vegetable Products CMLV in South Africa averaged 27846.27 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 61042.39 ZAR Million in December of 2018 and a record low of 2816.78 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Vegetable Products using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Vegetable Products CMLV.

Exports of Wood & Articles of Wood CMLV in South Africa increased to 1402.32 ZAR Million in March from 837.81 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Wood & Articles of Wood CMLV in South Africa averaged 2649.17 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 5907.25 ZAR Million in December of 2018 and a record low of 231.93 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Wood & Articles of Wood using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Wood & Articles of Wood CMLV.

Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa decreased to 1469.83 ZAR Million in March from 1976.95 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products in South Africa averaged 1477.56 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2105.93 ZAR Million in August of 2016 and a record low of 623.79 ZAR Million in February of 2019. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Wood Pulp Paper & Paper Products.

Exports of Wood & Wood Products in South Africa increased to 564.84 ZAR Million in March from 432.94 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Wood & Wood Products in South Africa averaged 427.34 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 665.93 ZAR Million in November of 2018 and a record low of 216.74 ZAR Million in August of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Wood & Wood Products.

Exports of Works of Art & Antiques in South Africa decreased to 82.88 ZAR Million in March from 136.29 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Works of Art & Antiques in South Africa averaged 86.80 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 463.78 ZAR Million in March of 2017 and a record low of 28.40 ZAR Million in May of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Works of Art & Antiques.

Exports of Works of Art CMLV in South Africa increased to 305.30 ZAR Million in March from 222.42 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports of Works of Art CMLV in South Africa averaged 530.99 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 1438.03 ZAR Million in December of 2019 and a record low of 31.20 ZAR Million in January of 2015. South Africa accounts for Exports of Works of Art using cumulative values for each year (CMLV). This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports of Works of Art CMLV.

Exports to Africa in South Africa increased to 16944.15 ZAR Million in March from 16095.51 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports to Africa in South Africa averaged 15254.42 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 19260.42 ZAR Million in October of 2018 and a record low of 10653.84 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports to Africa.

Exports to America in South Africa decreased to 9624.18 ZAR Million in March from 9687.30 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports to America in South Africa averaged 8763.94 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 12601.46 ZAR Million in November of 2017 and a record low of 5645.70 ZAR Million in January of 2016. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports to America.

Exports to Asia in South Africa decreased to 31282.21 ZAR Million in March from 32098.71 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports to Asia in South Africa averaged 29978.75 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 39054.67 ZAR Million in November of 2017 and a record low of 20235.93 ZAR Million in January of 2015. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports to Asia.