All articles tagged with #oecd
Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 for nearly all top 10 donors, with US aid dropping 57% according to the OECD. The US dismantled USAID, while European nations like the UK, France, and Germany slashed budgets. This shift, driven by rearmament priorities, threatens global health initiatives, including malaria elimination efforts in the Caribbean.
Global debt reached $365 trillion in the first half of 2026, rising by $10 trillion. Advanced economies now spend more on debt interest than on AI, defense, or clean energy. The IMF and OECD warn that rising bond yields and political inaction create a 'vicious cycle' of fiscal instability, with the U.S., Japan, France, and the U.K. facing risks typically seen in emerging markets.
OECD's PISA results show a global decline in 15-year-olds' maths and reading skills, with AI, smartphones and social media cited as contributing factors. The article invites readers to try a sample of PISA questions across maths, science and reading, notes adult literacy gaps, and provides a link to the full test for those curious to compare their own performance.
The OECD's PISA study shows a global dip in 15-year-olds' maths and reading skills. The article invites readers to try a sample of PISA questions across maths, science and reading, and notes AI and digital-media use as contributing factors, while also highlighting adult reading habits for context.
An FT opinion argues that declines in Pisa scores across high‑income countries stem from weaker standards and reform-driven shifts away from core knowledge; England’s strict, content‑focused curriculum contrasts with reductions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; Mississippi’s gains show the benefits of evidence‑based teaching and accountability; the piece warns that digital distractions and an emphasis on transferable skills could erode essential knowledge unless rigorous curricula and robust assessment are preserved.
The OECD's PISA 2025 results show 15-year-olds’ reading and maths skills slipping across OECD countries, with reading down about 28 points since 2015 and maths down roughly 22 points over the past decade, while science is less affected. The declines are linked to increased screen time and fewer recreational readers as digitalisation grows. The inequality gap narrowed mainly because advantaged students posted larger declines, not because disadvantaged students improved. EU performance is mixed, with some countries above the OECD average and others well below; experts urge deeper learning, stronger teaching, targeted support, and purposeful use of technology and AI.
A Gallup survey finds 89% of Americans view government corruption as widespread—a 20-year high—driven mainly by Democrats (about 91%) and independents (around 90%) after Trump’s return, with Republicans near 80%. The increase signals deepening distrust in federal institutions amid concerns over conflicts of interest and foreign influence, including Trump’s business ties and gifts. The report notes the United States now tops perceived corruption among OECD members, a striking contrast with some other developed nations; Gallup has polled 1,000+ Americans annually since 2005 to track these trends.
A Gallup World Poll finds 89% of U.S. adults say government corruption is widespread, a 20-year high driven by rising Democratic and independent concern; Americans view government corruption as more widespread than business, and the U.S. now leads OECD countries in perceived government corruption.
The OECD warns that a prolonged disruption of energy supplies from the Middle East, especially via the Strait of Hormuz, into next year could severely curb global growth, threaten jobs, and push up prices.
OECD projections frame the global economy around two scenarios tied to the Iran war: a modest slowdown if hostilities ease, with about 2.8% global growth this year and inflation easing, and a sharper hit if the conflict drags on, depressing growth to roughly 2.1% in 2026 and 1.8% in 2027 and lifting inflation, especially in energy-dependent regions. AI investment could cushion near-term growth but also increases fragility by tying activity to chokepoints in energy, semiconductors, and trade routes. The U.S. looks strongest among major economies, central banks stay cautious, and if the war persists, higher interest rates and greater reliance on fiscal policy would follow.
An OECD report warns that a prolonged disruption to energy flows from the Gulf into 2027 could push global growth to about 2.1% this year and 1.8% next, creating a “dark scenario” with higher inflation and rates and potential output scar. If the crisis ends sooner, growth could stay around 2.8% this year and 3.1% in 2027, with central banks able to keep policy rates relatively steady, though the risks remain significant.
An OECD analysis finds subsidized Chinese firms have driven roughly 60% of their global market-share gains since 2005, with 2024 support for Chinese companies running eight times higher on average than OECD peers. Subsidies across 15 sectors propelled rapid gains in autos, shipbuilding, solar and especially semiconductors (Chinese firms’ subsidies reached about 10% of revenue in 2021–22). The MAGIC database tracks 525 large firms and shows global subsidies at $108bn in 2024, with 52% in China. Much of Chinese support comes as below-market loans, enabling cheap funding even for weaker firms, but the OECD warns subsidies boost market share without improving productivity or profitability, risking distortion and prompting calls for greater transparency and policy tools like tariffs or quotas.
A Voronoi visualization ranks savings rates across major economies using OECD data, showing Sweden at 16.0% as the OECD’s top saver and more than three times the U.S. rate of 4.9%. Mexico sits around 8.1%, roughly double the U.S., while New Zealand and South Africa have negative savings. The U.S., Canada, and the U.K. cluster near 5%, underscoring a wide global gap in how much households save and what that means for financial resilience.
OECD projections indicate the United States could have the highest inflation among G7 economies in 2026 (about 4.2%), driven by the Iran conflict, lingering tariffs, and energy/grocery price pressures, with GDP growth around 2% as inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.
The OECD’s outlook says the Middle East conflict will disrupt energy markets and push U.S. inflation higher than previously forecast, with headline inflation around 4.2% this year and easing toward 1.6% by 2027. U.S. growth is expected near 2% this year but to slow thereafter, and persistent energy-price pressures could keep central banks cautious, as energy disruptions remain a key risk to global inflation and growth.