Although financial inclusion levels have improved in all Southeast Asian countries in recent years, levels remain relatively low in some countries. This report evaluates current levels of financial inclusion and financial literacy in Southeast Asia and describes the policies and programmes developed to support financial inclusion, education and consumer protection.

Paris, 25 May 2018 - Following a keynote speech from Emmanuelle Auriol, Professor at Toulouse School of Economics and Chair of Women in Economics of the European Economic Association, discussions at this event will explore some of the issues emerging from the gender biases evident in the field of economics.

This publication applies the lessons from the OECD’s analysis of disaster risk financing practices and the development of guidance to the specific case of earthquakes. This report provides an overview of the approaches that economies facing various levels of earthquake risk and economic development have taken to managing the financial impacts of earthquakes.

Weak labour productivity growth continues to mark the world’s advanced economies and risks compromising improvements in living standards, says a new OECD report.

A new OECD report, the 2018 Business and Finance Outlook, highlights a number of major risks having the potential to disrupt global economic growth. It notes that the gradual normalisation of monetary policy in an environment of growing debt will be a major test of whether the Basel III regulatory reforms have achieved their goal of ensuring safety and soundness in the financial system.

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, was in Vienna on 7-8 September 2018 to attend the Eurogroup Meeting / Informal Meeting of Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers (ECOFIN).

This seminar, jointly organised by the OECD and the Ministry of Finance of Japan, will address quality infrastructure investment, governance, planning and technology issues as well as data collection and benchmarking for quality infrastructure. It is taking place on 12-13 September 2018, in Tokyo, Japan.

This document contains a high-level, outcome-based, internationally relevant, core competencies framework on financial literacy for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and potential entrepreneurs. It highlights a range of outcomes that may be important to sustain or improve their financial literacy.

25-26 October 2018, Beijing, China - The 2018 Global Forum was entitled “Designing pension systems to cope with the ageing challenge” and was jointly organised by the OECD, the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS) and the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), China.

12-13 November 2018, São Paulo, Brazil - A series of events addressing the most recent trends, opportunities and challenges in financial education will be co-hosted by the OECD and CVM Brazil.

21/11/2018 - The OECD is currently updating its 1977 Recommendation on Consumer Protection in the field of Consumer Credit to ensure that it remains the relevant international standard. The draft text is available for public comment until 21 December 2018.

26-27 November 2018, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic. The conference will provide a forum to discuss best practices on developing financial education and consumer protection in supporting financial inclusion in Lao P.D.R and other Southeast Asian countries.

The OECD, UN Environment and World Bank Group today called on leaders of G20 countries to do more to enable a radical shift of investment into low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure as a way to limit the impact of climate change.

3 December 2018 - Every two years, the OECD Pensions Outlook provides an analysis of the main policy issues affecting pensions in OECD countries and assesses trends in retirement income systems. It discusses policy initiatives for strengthening pension systems, funded private pension systems in particular.

30 January 2019, Singapore - This Workshop will bring together academics, public stakeholders and industry experts to discuss data collection and benchmarks for quality infrastructure investment and blockchain and innovation in sustainable infrastructure.

25 February 2019 - Corporate bond markets have become an increasingly important source of financing for non-financial companies since the global financial crisis. The total outstanding debt in the form of corporate bonds reached USD 13 trillion as of end-2018. In real terms, this is twice as much as in 2008. This paper documents a number of associated risks and vulnerabilities.

07/03/2019 - The OECD Insurance and Private Pensions Committee (IPPC) has confirmed the appointment of Mr Yoshihiro Kawai, Advisor to the Commissioner, Japan Financial Services Agency, as its Chair.

7 March 2019 - The International Conference on Pension Supervision and Regulation this year will focus on Options for creating sustainable pension systems in emerging markets and will take place in New Delhi, India.

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, will be in Bucharest on 5-6 April 2019 to attend the Informal Meeting of European Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers (ECOFIN).

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, will be in Washington, from 11 to 13 April 2019 to attend a G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, a G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting, and the 2019 International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings.

23-24 April 2019, Paris - Debates at the 2019 Global Forum focused on the funding environment, the role of borrowing instruments in broadening the investor base, technological advances in finance for government bond markets and challenging debt dynamics.

This OECD report monitors trends in the financial performance of private pension plans. Covering 87 countries, it assesses the amount of assets in funded and private pension plans, describes the way these assets are invested in financial markets, and looks at how investments have performed, both in the past year and over the past decade.

31/05/2019 - Preliminary data for 2018 show that assets in pension funds amounted to USD 27.6 trillion in the OECD area, close to 4% lower than in 2017. Calculated in national currencies, pension fund assets declined in 12 out of 34 reporting OECD countries, including some of the largest pension markets: Japan (-1.1%), the Netherlands (-1.2%), Switzerland (-0.7%), the United Kingdom (-0.3%) and the United States (-5.0%).

Cross-border capital flows are an integral component of international finance, but require a balanced framework for removing unnecessary barriers to the movement of capital while providing governments flexibility to cope with instances of economic or financial instability, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said today.

This paper studies the case of Turkey and suggests several tools to promote retirement planning. Section I provides a review of the traditional and behavioural policy instruments designed to promote retirement savings, along with a discussion on their effectiveness.

This report analyses insurance market statistics collected by the OECD to monitor the insurance industry’s overall performance and health. It covers all OECD countries plus selected Asian, African and Latin American countries.

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, will participate in the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Chantilly, on 17-18 July 2019.

Each year, the OECD publishes a survey of the investment regulation of pension funds which describes the main quantitative investment regulations applied to pension funds in 77 economies. The survey questionnaire covers all types of pension plans financed via pension funds.

Unemployment Rate in Nepal decreased to 3.20 percent in 2017 from 3.40 percent in 2016. Unemployment Rate in Nepal averaged 2.99 percent from 1991 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 4.50 percent in 1996 and a record low of 1.90 percent in 1999. In Nepal, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page provides - Nepal Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Nepal recorded a Current Account deficit of 8.20 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Current Account to GDP in Nepal averaged 2.23 percent from 2000 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 6.20 percent in 2016 and a record low of -8.20 percent in 2018. The Current account balance as a percent of GDP provides an indication on the level of international competitiveness of a country. Usually, countries recording a strong current account surplus have an economy heavily dependent on exports revenues, with high savings ratings but weak domestic demand. On the other hand, countries recording a current account deficit have strong imports, a low saving rates and high personal consumption rates as a percentage of disposable incomes. This page provides - Nepal Current Account to GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Nepal recorded a Government Budget deficit equal to 8.90 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Government Budget in Nepal averaged -3.50 percent of GDP from 1999 until 2018, reaching an all time high of -0.90 percent of GDP in 2014 and a record low of -8.90 percent of GDP in 2018. Government Budget is an itemized accounting of the payments received by government (taxes and other fees) and the payments made by government (purchases and transfer payments). A budget deficit occurs when an government spends more money than it takes in. The opposite of a budget deficit is a budget surplus. This page provides - Nepal Government Budget - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Government Spending in Nepal increased to 113731 NPR Million in 2018 from 104989 NPR Million in 2017. Government Spending in Nepal averaged 65645.63 NPR Million from 2000 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 113731 NPR Million in 2018 and a record low of 35785 NPR Million in 2000. This page provides - Nepal Government Spending- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Consumer Spending in Nepal increased to 689298 Million Rupees in 2018 from 647090 Million Rupees in 2017. Consumer Spending in Nepal averaged 499527.16 Million Rupees from 2000 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 689298 Million Rupees in 2018 and a record low of 348989 Million Rupees in 2000. This page provides - Nepal Consumer Spending- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Nepal recorded a government debt equivalent to 30.40 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Government Debt to GDP in Nepal averaged 44.34 percent from 1999 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 69.50 percent in 2001 and a record low of 25.30 percent in 2015. Generally, Government debt as a percent of GDP is used by investors to measure a country ability to make future payments on its debt, thus affecting the country borrowing costs and government bond yields. This page provides - Nepal Government Debt To GDP - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Military Expenditure in Nepal decreased to 397 USD Million in 2018 from 405 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Nepal averaged 144.98 USD Million from 1970 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 405 USD Million in 2017 and a record low of 19.80 USD Million in 1970.

The stocks of goods held by firms in Nepal increased by 377968 NPR Million in 2018. Changes In Inventories in Nepal averaged 104909.16 NPR Million from 2000 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 377968 NPR Million in 2018 and a record low of -54 NPR Million in 2001. This page provides - Nepal Changes In Inventories- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Foreign Direct Investment in Nepal increased by 17512.80 NPR Million in 2018. Foreign Direct Investment in Nepal averaged 4159.94 NPR Million from 2001 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 17512.80 NPR Million in 2018 and a record low of -469.70 NPR Million in 2006. This page provides - Nepal Foreign Direct Investment- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Nepal recorded a Current Account deficit of 265365.90 Million Rupees in the first quarter of 2019. Current Account in Nepal averaged -5999.75 Million Rupees from 1989 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 86636 Million Rupees in the first quarter of 2015 and a record low of -265365.90 Million Rupees in the first quarter of 2019. Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). This page provides - Nepal Current Account - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Military Expenditure in Rwanda increased to 119.50 USD Million in 2018 from 115.70 USD Million in 2017. Military Expenditure in Rwanda averaged 74.36 USD Million from 1973 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 158 USD Million in 1991 and a record low of 32.30 USD Million in 1975.

Rwanda scored 52.82 points out of 100 on the 2018 Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Index in Rwanda averaged 19.84 Points from 2011 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 52.82 Points in 2019 and a record low of 3.99 Points in 2011. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. The report is made up of 98 variables, from a combination of data from international organizations as well as from the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey. The variables are organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. The GCI varies between 1 and 100, higher average score means higher degree of competitiveness. With the 2018 edition, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology, aiming to integrate the notion of the 4th Industrial Revolution into the definition of competitiveness. It emphasizes the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. This page provides the latest reported value for - Rwanda Competitiveness Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Rwanda is the 100 most competitive nation in the world out of 140 countries ranked in the 2018 edition of the Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum. Competitiveness Rank in Rwanda averaged 79.33 from 2011 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 108 in 2018 and a record low of 58 in 2016. The most recent 2018 edition of Global Competitiveness Report assesses 140 economies. In 2018, the World Economic Forum introduced a new methodology emphasizing the role of human capital, innovation, resilience and agility, as not only drivers but also defining features of economic success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a result, the GCI scale changed to 1 to 100 from 1 to 7, with higher average score meaning higher degree of competitiveness. The report is made up of 98 variables organized into twelve pillars with the most important including: institutions; infrastructure; ICT adoption; macroeconomic stability; health; skills; product market; labour market; financial system; market size; business dynamism; and innovation capability. This page provides the latest reported value for - Rwanda Competitiveness Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Foreign Direct Investment in Rwanda increased by 305.50 USD Million in 2018. Foreign Direct Investment in Rwanda averaged 238.14 USD Million from 2009 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 314.70 USD Million in 2014 and a record low of 118.67 USD Million in 2009. This page provides - Rwanda Foreign Direct Investment- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Rwanda recorded a Government Budget deficit equal to 4.30 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product in 2018. Government Budget in Rwanda averaged -2.78 percent of GDP from 2006 until 2018, reaching an all time high of -0.10 percent of GDP in 2010 and a record low of -5.30 percent of GDP in 2013. Government Budget is an itemized accounting of the payments received by government (taxes and other fees) and the payments made by government (purchases and transfer payments). A budget deficit occurs when an government spends more money than it takes in. The opposite of a budget deficit is a budget surplus. This page provides - Rwanda Government Budget - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Employment Rate in Rwanda increased to 46.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 43.90 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Employment Rate in Rwanda averaged 45.25 percent from 2019 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 46.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 43.90 percent in the third quarter of 2019. This page provides - Rwanda Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Unemployment Rate in Rwanda decreased to 15.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 16 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Unemployment Rate in Rwanda averaged 12.04 percent from 2001 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 17.80 percent in the third quarter of 2017 and a record low of 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2001. In Rwanda, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force. This page provides - Rwanda Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Furthering efforts to fight against international tax evasion and bank secrecy, members of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes have issued 12 new peer review reports.

This report provides, for the Flemish community of Belgium, an independent analysis of major issues facing the educational evaluation and assessment framework, current policy initiatives, and possible future approaches.

The main goal of the Strategy is to strengthen OECD’s contributions to “higher and more inclusive growth in the widest array of countries”, making full use of the OECD evidence-based approaches to improve policy making and economic reform for developing and developed countries.

Gains in female education attainment have contributed to a worldwide increase in women’s participation in the labour force, but considerable gaps remain in working hours, conditions of employment and earnings.  More specific data for Beligum are available in this country note.

The global crisis led to a smaller increase in the unemployment rate than in most other OECD countries as employment has been sustained through intensive use of reduced working time schemes.