Of Interest
you are currently viewing:OECD: Women in research: Progress in education, persistent gaps in careersMarch 10, 2026-Women now make up a majority of master's and doctoral graduates across OECD countries, yet they remain underrepresented across research and development (R&D) activities, particularly in the business sector. Despite substantial policy efforts, OECD analysis shows persistent gaps between men and women in research career pathways, employment conditions and international mobility. The gap between male and female researchers is widest in business R&D Every March, International Women's Day invites reflection on progress towards strengthening women's participation in education, employment and society more broadly. In research and development (R&D) careers, the story remains a complex one. In most OECD economies, business enterprises perform the majority of R&D. Yet women remain markedly underrepresented in this sector. On average, they account for only around one-quarter of researchers in business R&D, a share that has changed little over the past two decades. Source: OECD |
Economic Growth to Slow in Europe and Central Asia as Risks Rise
April 8, 2026--Reforms to Build a More Dynamic Private Sector Can Bolster Job Creation and Resilience.
Economic growth in the developing countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA) is likely to slow substantially this year because of the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, geopolitical tensions, and trade fragmentation, says the World Bank Group's ECA Economic Update, released today.
Global Imbalances: Old Questions, New Answers?
April 6, 2026-Widening global current account imbalances are best addressed by simultaneous domestic policy adjustments. Industrial policy and tariffs offer a costly fix with unreliable effects on imbalances.
OECD Consumer Finance Risk Monitor 2026
April 2, 2026-Consumers face a dynamic and complex financial landscape, shaped by cost-of-living pressures and evolving risks, including scams and frauds.
These challenges, combined with consumer vulnerabilities such as low financial literacy and high levels of debt, threaten households' financial well-being.
March 2026 Labor Market Update: How Women Have Closed the Other Workforce Gender Gap
March 26, 2026-The gap between male and female labor force participation has hit a record low-and it's still falling.
Key points:
In the early 1990s, men held almost 7 million more jobs than women. As of early 2026, that gap had entirely closed.
In recent months, male employment has contracted while female employment has held steady, suggesting the convergence is still accelerating.
Mapped: The World’s Riskiest Markets in 2026
March 26, 2026-While businesses are feeling the adverse impacts of nature loss, they are also beginning to recognise the opportunities a nature-positive economy can offer. From precision agriculture to battery recycling to bio-based materials, new ways of doing business are delivering both long-term resilience and short-term gains.
AI investment and Middle East conflict shape outlook for global trade
March 20, 2026-The outlook for world trade in 2026 will be shaped by two powerful and opposite forces. On the one hand, the extraordinary momentum of investment in artificial intelligence (AI) continues to energize global demand for high-tech goods and digitally delivered services. On the other hand, the conflict in the Middle East -and the resulting spike in energy and transport costs - could weigh heavily on world trade and output.
50 Investible Opportunities for a New Nature Economy
March 17, 2026-While businesses are feeling the adverse impacts of nature loss, they are also beginning to recognise the opportunities a nature-positive economy can offer. From precision agriculture to battery recycling to bio-based materials, new ways of doing business are delivering both long-term resilience and short-term gains.
Energy Charted: The Energy Mix of the World's 10 Largest Economies
March 13, 2026-Key Takeaways
Oil is the largest energy source in six of the world's 10 biggest economies, including the U.S., Germany, Japan, the UK, and Italy.
Coal dominates energy supply in China and India, accounting for nearly 60% of their energy mixes.
Jobs and Skills for the Blue Economy
April 10, 2026- The transition to a low-carbon and nature-positive economy is not just about technologies and targets. It is about people and their livelihoods. It will reshape labor markets around the world.
ICYMI: Report Shows 'Annoyance Economy' Rips Off Consumers for $165 Billion Annually
March 4, 2026--Spam and robocalls cost Americans over $32 billion annually, junk fees cost consumers $90 billion annually, and health care headaches cost $41 billion.
Groundwork Collaborative recently published Taking on the Annoyance Economy, which totals the cost of the Annoyance Economy at $165 billion in wasted time and effort.
