SOCIOECONOMIC MEASURES
Key findings
What are the key findings regarding
OECD socioeconomic strengths
and weaknesses?
OECD socioeconomic strengths
and weaknesses?
Socioeconomic measures' scores are weighted composites. Eight quantitative indicators [ 
] each make up one-eighth of the total value.
Scores and methodology
] each make up one-eighth of the total value. Scores and methodologyKey findings: Socioeconomic measures
Each 
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.
Click country name in list or text for details.
represents an individual country and is positioned on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (best). Position cursor over to see scores for individual countries.Click country name in list or text for details.
Score distribution
Though few countries are without flaw, this group of countries shows generally strong economic fundamentals.
Both labor force measures are particularly solid in Iceland and Ireland, while Norway shows low unemployment, along with low inflation rates and a markedly even distribution of income.
Luxembourg's per-capita GDP is very high, and the country's economy is very open to trade.
Norway's trade openness falls down somewhat, while inflation and interest rates are relatively high in Iceland.
Both labor force measures are particularly solid in Iceland and Ireland, while Norway shows low unemployment, along with low inflation rates and a markedly even distribution of income.
Luxembourg's per-capita GDP is very high, and the country's economy is very open to trade.
Norway's trade openness falls down somewhat, while inflation and interest rates are relatively high in Iceland.
6.0
5
6.0
5.9
7
5.9
5.8
9
5.8
5.8
5.7
12
5.7
5.7
5.6
15
5.6
5.5
17
5.5
This group of countries shows a mixed pattern of economic strengths and weaknesses.
A large number of countries show low inflation rates paired with relatively low levels of incomes disparity (Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Finland).
Inflation is also relatively low in South Korea and Spain, and income disparities low in Finland and the Czech Republic. Unemployment is relatively minimal in Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Canada, and the United States.
The growth rate in potential GDP has been relatively low in many of these nations (Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, U.S., Belgium, Slovakia, Finland). Per-capita GDP is below the OECD average in the Czech Republic, South Korea, Canada, Australia, and Slovakia.
Income distribution is markedly unequal in the United States, while labor force growth has been slow in Slovakia and Finland. Unemployment is high in Slovakia.
Sweden, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Spain score below average in openness to trade.
A large number of countries show low inflation rates paired with relatively low levels of incomes disparity (Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Finland).
Inflation is also relatively low in South Korea and Spain, and income disparities low in Finland and the Czech Republic. Unemployment is relatively minimal in Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Canada, and the United States.
The growth rate in potential GDP has been relatively low in many of these nations (Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, U.S., Belgium, Slovakia, Finland). Per-capita GDP is below the OECD average in the Czech Republic, South Korea, Canada, Australia, and Slovakia.
Income distribution is markedly unequal in the United States, while labor force growth has been slow in Slovakia and Finland. Unemployment is high in Slovakia.
Sweden, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Spain score below average in openness to trade.
5.3
19
5.2
20
5.1
21
5.0
22
4.8
23
4.8
4.8
4.6
26
4.6
4.4
28
4.3
29
3.2
30
In this latter group, the pattern of economic fundamentals is similarly mixed, but weaknesses take an increasingly marked role.
On the positive site, inflation and unemployment are both low in several countries (Japan, UK, New Zealand). Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal also show relatively low inflation, while unemployment is low in Hungary and Mexico.
However, per-capita GDP is relatively low in many states (Japan, UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Turkey). Rates of growth in potential GDP have been low in Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, and France.
A number of countries (Japan, UK, New Zealand, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Poland) show relatively low openness to foreign trade. Inflation has been relatively high in Hungary and Turkey.
Poland's unemployment rate has been a concern, while Mexico's income distribution is markedly unequal.
On the positive site, inflation and unemployment are both low in several countries (Japan, UK, New Zealand). Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal also show relatively low inflation, while unemployment is low in Hungary and Mexico.
However, per-capita GDP is relatively low in many states (Japan, UK, New Zealand, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Turkey). Rates of growth in potential GDP have been low in Japan, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, and France.
A number of countries (Japan, UK, New Zealand, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Poland) show relatively low openness to foreign trade. Inflation has been relatively high in Hungary and Turkey.
Poland's unemployment rate has been a concern, while Mexico's income distribution is markedly unequal.
Rationale
There are several economic indicators that can be used to help measure the outcomes of specific reforms, including: GDP per capita, potential growth, unemployment rate, labor force growth, Gini coefficient, inflation rate, real interest rates and the share of foreign trade in GDP, which is adjusted for population size in order to consider the greater openness of smaller economies.
Performance comparison
Use drop-down menus for selections. In all cases, higher scores reflect better performance.
