Today’s post is by Arthur Mickoleit of the OECD’s Directorate for Public Governance and Territorial Development. Inputs from Kareen Schramm and Sofia Varas of Chile’s Ministry General‑Secretariat of the Presidency are gratefully acknowledged.

The global economic crisis has undermined trust in government. Today only four out of ten citizens in OECD countries say they have confidence in their national authorities. Not surprisingly, trust declined in the countries hit hardest by the crisis, such as Ireland, Greece, Slovenia and Portugal.

Latin American and Caribbean countries need to do more to improve budget management, tax collection and public sector pay equality if they are to catch up with advanced economies in terms of government performance, according to a joint report by the OECD and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The recent riots in Baltimore following the death of Freddy Gray bring a tragic focus, once again, on inequality. Maryland’s largest city, Baltimore is a perfect laboratory to study it, thanks in part to the superb comparative statistics the city keeps. OECD Insights Blog.

The Regional Development Policy Division was honoured to have been selected by the Regional Studies Association (RSA) to receive the Institutional Ambassador Award 2015 on 18 November. The award is in recognition of the high calibre of reports and measurement tools produced by the Regional Development Policy Committee and its supporting Working Parties.

This OECD Regulatory Policy Working Paper presents the methodology, key results and statistical analysis of the 2015 Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance (iREG) to complement the OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook 2015.

Imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly half a trillion dollars a year, or around 2.5% of global imports, with US, Italian and French brands the hardest hit and many of the proceeds going to organised crime, according to a new report by the OECD and the EU’s Intellectual Property Office.

Across the OECD, GDP per capita is converging. In contrast, regional disparities – or differences in GDP per capita across jurisdictions – are rising, mainly as a result of widening productivity differences. Fiscal decentralisation could help reduce them again. According to new OECD research, assigning more ownsource revenue to sub-national governments dampens regional GDP disparities and underpins regional convergence.

The growth pattern of OECD countries and their sub-national entities is puzzling. Between-country differences in GDP per capita are declining, yet the differences across jurisdictions within those countries tend to rise.

"Indonesia is well placed to be a strong advocate for open government reforms, and to link such reforms to other multi-lateral reform efforts" - OECD Insights Blog by Luiz De Mello.

The public consultation took place from 1 August to 31 October 2016.

In 1998 Indonesia embarked on an ambitious course of decentralisation. Over a period of a few years, facilitated by financial transfers from the central government, responsibility for many public services and administrative tasks were devolved to local authorities.

Indonesia's fiscal position is generally sound and policy making prudent. However, the country still faces important challenges in terms of economic and social development.

A Job for Life? The old notion of a safe job in the civil service is profoundly changing - OECD Insights blog by Bill Below.

The recent scandal over the use of horsemeat in readymade meals that has shaken the entire European continent has revealed not only the complexity and opacity of our food supply chain, but also–and above all–the shortcomings of European food law.

Legislative and regulatory policy options for sustainable capital markets - A good corporate governance framework should combine transparency, accountability and integrity and this requires knowledge of beneficial ownership. This report assesses the costs, benefits and practicalities of different approaches, suggesting policy options to better identify ultimate beneficial ownership in Indonesia.

This paper provides a framework for analysing ownership engagement by institutional investors. It argues that the general term “institutional investor” in itself doesn’t say very much about the quality or degree of ownership engagement. It is therefore an evasive “shorthand” for policy discussions about ownership engagement.

16 November 2015, Antalya - G20 Leaders today endorsed the new global standards on corporate governance that will help policy makers to evaluate and improve their national corporate governance frameworks with a view to promote market-based financing and to boost long-term investment.

Conventional wisdom holds that countries with lower taxes attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI). At first glance, this intuitive assumption seems to be supported by the evidence but is this true?. Pierre Poret, Deputy Director of the OECD Financial and Enterprise Affairs Directorate takes a closer look.

This report is part of a series of assessments on Colombian gold supply chains and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas. It analyses conditions of mineral extraction and related risks.

The OECD advises countries on how to meet future demand for health professionals and how to manage the supply of health workers. This report describes recent trends in the international migration of doctors and nurses in OECD countries.

Algeria is ranked 157 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Algeria remained unchanged at 157 in 2019 from 157 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Algeria averaged 151.58 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 166 in 2017 and a record low of 134 in 2008. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Algeria.

Bulgaria is ranked 61 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Bulgaria deteriorated to 61 in 2019 from 59 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Bulgaria averaged 49.92 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 61 in 2019 and a record low of 36 in 2014. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Bulgaria.

Household Saving Rate in the United Kingdom increased to 6.20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 5.20 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Personal Savings in the United Kingdom averaged 8.56 percent from 1955 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 15.20 percent in the second quarter of 1993 and a record low of -0.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 1958. In the United Kingdom, the saving ratio estimates the amount of money households and NPISH have available to save (known as gross saving) as a percentage of their total disposable income (known as total available resources). This page provides - United Kingdom Households Saving Ratio - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Indonesia scored 40 points out of 100 on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Index in Indonesia averaged 26.84 Points from 1995 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 40 Points in 2019 and a record low of 17 Points in 1999. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s score indicates the perceived level of public sector corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). This page provides the latest reported value for - Indonesia Corruption Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Imports from New Caledonia in Germany increased to 113 EUR THO in February from 1 EUR THO in January of 2020. Imports from New Caledonia in Germany averaged 83.54 EUR THO from 2000 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2015 EUR THO in August of 2002 and a record low of 0 EUR THO in September of 2010. This page includes a chart with historical data for Germany Imports from New Caledonia.

Imports from Moldova in Germany decreased to 23094 EUR THO in February from 24081 EUR THO in January of 2020. Imports from Moldova in Germany averaged 10680.17 EUR THO from 2000 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 28847 EUR THO in November of 2017 and a record low of 3771 EUR THO in June of 2005. This page includes a chart with historical data for Germany Imports from Moldova.

Medical Doctors in Ireland increased to 3.30 per 1000 people in 2018 from 3.26 per 1000 people in 2017. Medical Doctors in Ireland averaged 3.06 per 1000 people from 2006 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 3.30 per 1000 people in 2018 and a record low of 2.72 per 1000 people in 2006. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ireland Medical Doctors.

Medical Doctors in Poland decreased to 2.58 per 1000 people in 2017 from 2.63 per 1000 people in 2016. Medical Doctors in Poland averaged 2.44 per 1000 people from 2005 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 2.63 per 1000 people in 2016 and a record low of 2.32 per 1000 people in 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for Poland Medical Doctors.

Gabon is ranked 169 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Gabon remained unchanged at 169 in 2019 from 169 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Gabon averaged 161.92 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 169 in 2012 and a record low of 151 in 2008. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Gabon.

Money Supply M2 in the United Kingdom increased to 2600176 GBP Million in March from 2472269 GBP Million in February of 2020. Money Supply M2 in the United Kingdom averaged 1235360.38 GBP Million from 1986 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 2600176 GBP Million in March of 2020 and a record low of 167427 GBP Million in December of 1986. The United Kingdom Money Supply M2 includes M1 plus short-term time deposits in banks. This page provides - United Kingdom Money Supply M2 - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Loans To Private Sector in Colombia increased to 89.78 COP Billion in October from 89.57 COP Billion in September of 2016. Loans To Private Sector in Colombia averaged -74.29 COP Billion from 1993 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 1426.67 COP Billion in February of 2014 and a record low of -2108.10 COP Billion in September of 1993. Loans To Private Sector in Colombia is reported by the Banco de la Republica, Colombia. . This page provides - Colombia Loans To Private Sector- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Loans to Private Sector in the United Kingdom increased to 2575721 GBP Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 2546089 GBP Million in the third quarter of 2019. Loans to Private Sector in the United Kingdom averaged 896055.61 GBP Million from 1963 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 2812922 GBP Million in the first quarter of 2009 and a record low of 8755 GBP Million in the first quarter of 1963. This page provides - United Kingdom Loans to Private Sector - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Indonesia is the 85 least corrupt nation out of 175 countries, according to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International. Corruption Rank in Indonesia averaged 99.04 from 1995 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 143 in 2007 and a record low of 41 in 1995. The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks countries and territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory's rank indicates its position relative to the other countries and territories in the index. This page provides the latest reported value for - Indonesia Corruption Rank - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Corporate Profits in the United Kingdom decreased to 113724 GBP Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 114104 GBP Million in the third quarter of 2019. Corporate Profits in the United Kingdom averaged 36869.28 GBP Million from 1955 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 115312 GBP Million in the first quarter of 2019 and a record low of 1024 GBP Million in the first quarter of 1955. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Corporate Profits - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Crude Oil Production in the United Kingdom decreased to 1026 BBL/D/1K in December from 1053 BBL/D/1K in November of 2019. Crude Oil Production in the United Kingdom averaged 1610.80 BBL/D/1K from 1973 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 2821 BBL/D/1K in December of 1998 and a record low of 1 BBL/D/1K in January of 1975. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Crude Oil Production - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Wages High Skilled in Indonesia increased to 5017000 IDR/Month in 2018 from 4768500 IDR/Month in 2017. Wages High Skilled in Indonesia averaged 4719675 IDR/Month from 2015 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 5017000 IDR/Month in 2018 and a record low of 4473000 IDR/Month in 2015. High Skilled Wages refer to highest estimate of wage of workers doing high-skilled jobs, calculated from sample of wages collected by WageIndicator surveys.

Wages High Skilled in the United Kingdom increased to 2330 GBP/Month in 2018 from 2110 GBP/Month in 2017. Wages High Skilled in the United Kingdom averaged 2267.50 GBP/Month from 2015 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 2460 GBP/Month in 2016 and a record low of 2110 GBP/Month in 2017. High Skilled Wages refer to highest estimate of wage of workers doing high-skilled jobs, calculated from sample of wages collected by WageIndicator surveys.

Afghanistan is ranked 173 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Afghanistan deteriorated to 173 in 2019 from 167 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Afghanistan averaged 171.42 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 183 in 2016 and a record low of 154 in 2010. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Afghanistan.

Industrial Production in the United Kingdom decreased 2.80 percent in February of 2020 over the same month in the previous year. Industrial Production in the United Kingdom averaged 0.85 percent from 1969 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 22.60 percent in February of 1973 and a record low of -12 percent in December of 1980. In the United Kingdom, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent). Mining and quarrying account for 12 percent of production, as oil and gas extraction accounts for 10 percent. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output and water supply, sewerage and waste management account for 8 percent. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Industrial Production - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Electricity Production in the United Kingdom increased to 29731 Gigawatt-hour in December from 28902 Gigawatt-hour in November of 2019. Electricity Production in the United Kingdom averaged 28609.62 Gigawatt-hour from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 38520 Gigawatt-hour in January of 2008 and a record low of 16152 Gigawatt-hour in August of 2013. This page has Electricity Production values for United Kingdom.

Employment in the United Kingdom increased by 172 in January of 2020. Employment Change in the United Kingdom averaged 43.15 Thousand from 1971 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 311 Thousand in March of 2014 and a record low of -279 Thousand in May of 2009. In the United Kingdom, employment change refers to the 3-month moving average compared to the previous period in the number of people in employment aged 16 and over. This page provides - United Kingdom Employment Change- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Industrial Production in the United Kingdom increased 0.10 percent in February of 2020 over the previous month. Industrial Production Mom in the United Kingdom averaged 0.07 percent from 1968 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 9.70 percent in March of 1972 and a record low of -7.80 percent in February of 1972. In the United Kingdom, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy. Manufacturing is the most important sector and accounts for 70 percent of total production. The biggest segments within Manufacturing are: Food, drink and tobacco (11 percent of total production); transport equipment (9 percent); basic metals (8 percent); other manufacturing and repair (6 percent); pharmaceutical products and preparations (6 percent); and rubber and plastic products and non-metallic mineral products (6 percent). Mining and quarrying account for 12 percent of production, as oil and gas extraction accounts for 10 percent. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning account for 11 percent of total output and water supply, sewerage and waste management account for 8 percent. This page provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Industrial Production MoM - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

GDP From Transport in the United Kingdom decreased to 19688 GBP Million in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 19717 GBP Million in the third quarter of 2019. GDP From Transport in the United Kingdom averaged 16380.99 GBP Million from 1990 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 19767 GBP Million in the fourth quarter of 2007 and a record low of 10359 GBP Million in the first quarter of 1991. This page provides - United Kingdom Gdp From Transport- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Car Production in the United Kingdom decreased to 78767 Units in March from 122171 Units in February of 2020. Car Production in the United Kingdom averaged 114673.27 Units from 1977 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 185157 Units in March of 2000 and a record low of 43773 Units in August of 1979. This page provides - United Kingdom Car Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Argentina is ranked 126 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings. The rank of Argentina deteriorated to 126 in 2019 from 119 in 2018. Ease of Doing Business in Argentina averaged 117.92 from 2008 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 126 in 2019 and a record low of 112 in 2008. The Ease of doing business index ranks countries against each other based on how the regulatory environment is conducive to business operationstronger protections of property rights. Economies with a high rank (1 to 20) have simpler and more friendly regulations for businesses. This page includes a chart with historical data for Ease of Doing Business in Argentina.

Business Confidence in Indonesia decreased to 104.82 points in the fourth quarter of 2019 from 105.33 points in the third quarter of 2019. Business Confidence in Indonesia averaged 106.75 points from 2000 until 2019, reaching an all time high of 122.50 points in the second quarter of 2000 and a record low of 95.12 points in the first quarter of 2006. In Indonesia, the Business Tendency Index (BTI) measures the expectations of entrepreneurs about current business income, production capacity, average working hours and future domestic and foreign orders, selling prices and raw materials. The survey covers a sample of around 2000 managers from large and medium companies from almost all regions of the country and from the main sectors of the economy (Agriculture, Mining and Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas and Water, Construction, Trade, Hotels, Transportation and Communication, Financial and Services). For each of the variables measured, the proportion of positive, negative and neutral answers is computed, and the final index is reported as a weighted average of those proportions. The BTI above 100 indicates an improving outlook and below 100 a deteriorating outlook. This page provides - Indonesia Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Business Confidence in the United Kingdom decreased to -87 points in the second quarter of 2020 from 23 points in the first quarter of 2020. Business Confidence in the United Kingdom averaged -4.08 points from 1958 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 55 points in the third quarter of 1959 and a record low of -87 points in the second quarter of 2020. In the United Kingdom, the Business Optimism Index is published by the Confederation of British Industry's in its Industrial Trends Survey. An average of 400 small, medium and large companies from the manufacturing sector is surveyed each quarter. The Questionnaire accesses the overall sentiment regarding general and export business situation, investment, capacity, order books, employment, output, stocks, prices competitiveness regarding domestic, EU and non-EU markets and innovation and training. For each assessment is computed a sub-index as the percentage of positive answers minus the percentage of negative answers. The composite index is then computed as the weighted average of the sub-indices. An Optimism Index of +100 indicates that all survey respondents are much more confident about future prospects, while -100 suggests that all survey respondents are much less confident about future prospects. An index level of 0 indicates neutrality. This page provides - United Kingdom Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Medical Doctors in Lithuania increased to 4.85 per 1000 people in 2017 from 4.77 per 1000 people in 2016. Medical Doctors in Lithuania averaged 3.97 per 1000 people from 1965 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 4.85 per 1000 people in 2017 and a record low of 1.77 per 1000 people in 1965. This page includes a chart with historical data for Lithuania Medical Doctors.

Indonesia 10Y Bond Yield was 8.09 percent on Friday May 8, according to over-the-counter interbank yield quotes for this government bond maturity. Historically, the Indonesia Government Bond 10Y reached an all time high of 21.11 in October of 2008. Generally, a government bond is issued by a national government and is denominated in the country`s own currency. Bonds issued by national governments in foreign currencies are normally referred to as sovereign bonds. The yield required by investors to loan funds to governments reflects inflation expectations and the likelihood that the debt will be repaid.