The European Commission has proposed an integrated EU approach to stop profits from trading minerals being used to fund armed conflicts. The package of measures aims to make it more difficult for armed groups in conflict-affected and high-risk areas to finance their activities through the mining of and trade in minerals.

This statement was adopted by National Contact Points on 25 June 2014 during their 15th Meeting.

Kazakhstan’s new anti-corruption strategy must be better defined, involving key stakeholders, with targeted actions and goals that address the key corruption challenges facing the country, says a new OECD report by the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan (IAP).

Brazil must build on the positive momentum started with its new Corporate Liability Law and its first indictments in one foreign bribery case to investigate and prosecute more proactively foreign bribery.

Widespread corruption continues to be a major challenge for Kyrgyzstan’s development, despite efforts to streamline its anti-corruption policy and strengthen the institutional framework since 2012.

Uzbekistan has adopted its first anti-corruption action plan and established an anti-corruption coordination commission. Nevertheless corruption is widespread in Uzbekistan and remains a key obstacle for business.

The OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Transactions has repeatedly over 15 years urged Argentina to strengthen its efforts to fight corruption and foreign bribery. During that time, the Working Group has recommended that Argentina change its laws to hold companies liable for corruption and to extend jurisdiction to Argentines who commit foreign bribery overseas.

Azerbaijan has made progress in preventing corruption in several sectors, such as public services delivery, traffic police and public education, and reforms have started in customs and business licencing. However, serious and complex corruption challenges have yet to be tackled, says a new OECD report.

The Czech Republic must strengthen its efforts to detect, investigate and prosecute foreign bribery. Seventeen years after ratifying the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, the Czech Republic has yet to prosecute a case involving the bribery of foreign public officials.

Ukraine has achieved remarkable progress on anti-corruption reforms since the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. Despite these major achievements, there is a serious risk of backsliding on reforms, according to a new OECD report.

Housing Index in Brazil increased to 129.80 points in March from 129.50 points in February of 2020. Housing Index in Brazil averaged 124.59 points from 2012 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 130.27 points in February of 2017 and a record low of 100 points in June of 2012. The FipeZap housing index in Brazil measures the changes in average prices of properties in 25 Brazilian municipalities, such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Distrito Federal, Salvador, Fortaleza, Recife and etc. This page provides - Brazil Housing Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Housing Index in Switzerland decreased to 168.74 points in the first quarter of 2020 from 169.34 points in the fourth quarter of 2019. Housing Index in Switzerland averaged 105.83 points from 1970 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 169.34 points in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 35.65 points in the first quarter of 1970. In Switzerland, housing index refers to Residential House Price Index of single-family homes. This page provides - Switzerland House Price Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This country note explains how the Czech Republic taxes energy use. The note shows the distribution of effective energy tax rates across all domestic energy use. It also details the country-specific assumptions made when calculating effective energy tax rates and matching tax rates to the corresponding energy base.

The tax-to-GDP ratio in the Czech Republic increased by 0.4 percentage points from 34.9% in 2017 to 35.3% in 2018. The corresponding figure for the OECD average was a slight increase of 0.1 percentage point from 34.2% to 34.3% over the same period.

This note presents selected findings based on the set of well-being indicators published in How's Life? 2020.

The tax wedge for the average single worker in the Czech Republic increased by 0.1 percentage points from 43.8 in 2018 to 43.9 in 2019. The OECD average tax wedge in 2019 was 36.0 (2018, 36.1). In 2019 the Czech Republic had the 7th highest tax wedge among the 36 OECD member countries, occupying the same position in 2018.

An overview of the long-term care situation in New Zealand is available here.

An overview of the long-term care situation in the Czech Republic is available here.

An overview of the long-term care situation in Switzerland is available here.

The Swiss health system is one of the world’s best but must adapt to deal with rising costs and higher rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to a new OECD/WHO report.

OECD Health Working Papers No. 60: Health Spending Growth at Zero: Which Countries, Which Sectors Are Most Affected?

Switzerland needs to do more to help people with mental disorders find a job or stay in work, according to a new OECD report.

More than 35 million people worldwide had dementia in 2010 and this number is expected to exceed 115 million by 2050. This paper reports on the opportunities offered by the informatics revolution and big data to address Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. This will require careful planning and multi-stakeholder collaboration as technical, administrative, regulatory, infrastructure and financial obstacles emerge.

Strengthening primary health care and prevention programmes would help stem the growing tide of diabetes and other chronic health conditions in the Czech Republic, according to a new OECD report.

Price levels for private hospital services in South Africa are comparable to the levels observed across OECD countries. But they are higher than what could be expected given the country’s income, according to a new OECD working paper.

In a boost for international efforts to strengthen co-operation against offshore tax evasion, seven new countries have joined the agreement to exchange information automatically under the OECD/G20 standard.

This country fact-sheet presents key figures from "Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class". This report analyses the trends of middle-income households in areas such as employment, consumption, wealth and debt, as well as perceptions and social attitudes. It also includes recommendations for protecting middle-class living standards and financial security in the face of economic challenges.

The OECD has now grown into an institution of truly global relevance. And Japan, which was the first Asian country to join the organisation, is now a world economic giant. It is a great honour to introduce the Chairman of the 2014 Ministerial Council Meeting, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

This country fact-sheet presents key figures from "Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class". This report analyses the trends of middle-income households in areas such as employment, consumption, wealth and debt, as well as perceptions and social attitudes. It also includes recommendations for protecting middle-class living standards and financial security in the face of economic challenges.

Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone) in South Africa decreased to 735.41 ZAR Million in March from 833.73 ZAR Million in February of 2020. Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone) in South Africa averaged 561.19 ZAR Million from 2014 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2052.33 ZAR Million in May of 2015 and a record low of 94.50 ZAR Million in April of 2014. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Africa Exports to Ships & Aircrapft Stores (world Zone).

The number of employed persons in Switzerland increased to 5107 Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 5090 Thousand in the third quarter of 2019. Employed Persons in Switzerland averaged 4078.60 Thousand from 1975 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 5107 Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2019 and a record low of 3242 Thousand in the third quarter of 1976. In Switzerland, employed persons are individuals with a minimum required age who work during a certain time for a business. This page provides - Switzerland Employed Persons - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This publication reviews the labour market integration of immigrants and their children in three OECD countries (Austria, Norway and Switzerland) and provides country-specific recommendations. It also includes a summary chapter highlighting common challenges and policy responses. It is the third and last in a series which has covered eleven OECD countries.

Austria has achieved high levels of economic growth and well-being, but must address serious demographic, environmental and globalisation challenges if future generations are to share the same prosperity, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Survey of Austria.

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, will be in Salzburg on 29-30 August 2018 to attend the Trilogue Salzburg “Taking Stock of Democracy - Still a Success Story or not Competitive Anymore?” event, organised by Bertelsmann Stiftung.

This country fact-sheet presents key figures from "Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class". This report analyses the trends of middle-income households in areas such as employment, consumption, wealth and debt, as well as perceptions and social attitudes. It also includes recommendations for protecting middle-class living standards and financial security in the face of economic challenges.

The paper argues that interest rates are at extremely low levels to support banks, and the search for yield has pushed the liquidity driven speculative bubble from real estate, derivatives and structured products markets into the corporate debt market. Equities have rallied strongly too. This asset cycle is certainly helping banks reduce hidden losses on illiquid securities and could also help reduce the cost of equity.

The greatest puzzle today is that since the global crisis financial markets see so little risk, with asset prices rising everywhere in response to zero interest rates and quantitative easing, while companies that invest in the real economy appear see so much more risk. What can be happening?

This report provides estimates of the costs associated with bank resolution both in terms of the expected costs that might arise should a bank fail (i.e. as "ex-post" costs), as well as the cost associated with the likelihood that a solvent bank might fail (i.e. as "ex-ante" costs) over the next year.

Auckland, New Zealand, 12-13 October 2016. Discussions focused on innovative policies and strategies around financial education and consumer protection.

This paper describes and provides guidance on policy and practice relating to financial education for MSMEs and potential entrepreneurs in Asia, with a particular focus on Indonesia.

Capacity Utilization in Italy decreased to 76.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 77.10 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Capacity Utilization in Italy averaged 75.58 percent from 1986 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 81 percent in the fourth quarter of 1988 and a record low of 64.90 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This page provides the latest reported value for - Italy Capacity Utilization - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Capacity Utilization in Sweden decreased to 89.20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 91.30 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Capacity Utilization in Sweden averaged 87.08 percent from 1980 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 91.30 percent in the third quarter of 2019 and a record low of 76 percent in the second quarter of 2009. In Sweden, Capacity Utilization is the difference between the potential and actual use of an input. Capacity utilization is high when actual output is close to potential output because the most use is being made of labor and capital. This page provides - Sweden Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Canada decreased to 81.20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 81.50 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Capacity Utilization in Canada averaged 82.89 percent from 1987 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 87.30 percent in the first quarter of 1988 and a record low of 72.70 percent in the second quarter of 2009. The rates of capacity utilization are measures of the intensity with which industries use their production capacity. Capacity utilization is the percentage of actual to potential output. This page provides the latest reported value for - Canada Capacity Utilization - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Capacity Utilization in South Africa decreased to 79.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 80.40 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Capacity Utilization in South Africa averaged 81.86 percent from 1971 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 86.20 percent in the first quarter of 1974 and a record low of 76.90 percent in the third quarter of 1992. This page provides - South Africa Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Russia increased to 63 percent in March from 62 percent in February of 2020. Capacity Utilization in Russia averaged 56.37 percent from 1995 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 66 percent in July of 2017 and a record low of 38 percent in March of 1997. This page provides - Russia Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Brazil increased to 78.70 percent in February from 78 percent in January of 2020. Capacity Utilization in Brazil averaged 80.76 percent from 2003 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 84.60 percent in January of 2008 and a record low of 75.90 percent in May of 2018. In Brazil, capacity utilization refers to the operational capacity of production being used in the manufacturing sector (percentage of maximum capacity), under normal conditions of operation. This page provides - Brazil Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Japan decreased to 95.10 points in December from 95.50 points in November of 2019. Capacity Utilization in Japan averaged 110.70 points from 1968 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 136.10 points in November of 1968 and a record low of 68.60 points in February of 2009. In Japan, capacity utilization is the quantity of production divided by the quantity of production capacity, expressing the state of operations for various facilities in the manufacturing industry. It does not measure the absolute level of capacity utilization but the relative capacity utilization rate compared with the benchmark year. This page provides the latest reported value for - Japan Capacity Utilization - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Capacity Utilization in China remained unchanged at 76.80 percent in the third quarter of 2017 from 76.80 percent in the second quarter of 2017. Capacity Utilization in China averaged 74.99 percent from 2013 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 76.80 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and a record low of 72.90 percent in the first quarter of 2016. This page provides - China Capacity Utilization- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Mexico decreased to 81.40 percent in February from 81.60 percent in January of 2020. Capacity Utilization in Mexico averaged 79.68 percent from 2007 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 82.60 percent in July of 2019 and a record low of 74.10 percent in February of 2009. This page provides - Mexico Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Capacity Utilization in Australia decreased to 75.05 percent in March from 81.13 percent in February of 2020. Capacity Utilization in Australia averaged 81.10 percent from 1997 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 84.62 percent in October of 2007 and a record low of 75.05 percent in March of 2020. This page provides - Australia Capacity Utilization - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.