This working paper reviews a range of policies that impact productivity growth, looking at the incentives and capabilities of businesses and workers and the impact of public policy. The authors argue that reviving productivity growth is crucial to addressing long-term challenges, but will require a tailored and multi-pillared approach. The paper offers guidance for policymakers...

Housing markets have played a prominent role in macroeconomic developments over recent years. For a great part of the 2000s, buoyant housing markets have contributed to sustained economic activity in most OECD countries. But many markets overheated and the collapse of the US subprime mortgage market has been at the epicentre of a deep financial...

This paper aims to shed light on the contribution of health care and other determinants to the health status of the population and to provide evidence on whether or not health care resources are producing similar value for money across OECD countries. First, it discusses the pros and cons of various indicators of the health...

This paper shows that the major part of the historically high debt level in OECD countries is held by higher-income households, who also spend a smaller proportion of their disposable income servicing debts. Whether the situation remains benign or not is discussed in the final section of the paper.