1887

OECD Regional Outlook 2023

The Longstanding Geography of Inequalities

image of OECD Regional Outlook 2023

Over the last two decades, regional inequalities have remained significant, and have grown within many OECD countries. Impacts of recent shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and megatrends, threaten to widen these gaps between regions, deepening the longstanding geography of inequalities. This report, Regional Outlook 2023 – The Longstanding Geography of Inequalities, provides novel evidence on the evolution of inequalities between OECD regions across several dimensions (including income and access to services) over the past twenty years. It sheds light on the role of productivity to address regional inequalities. It also looks at the costs of regional inequalities, which can weaken the economic, social, and political fabric, and lead to a geography of discontent. Furthermore, the report explores forward-looking scenarios for regions as part of ongoing reflections to future-proof regional development policy and secure social cohesion. Finally, it provides a policy roadmap to guide governments’ efforts to reduce persistent regional inequalities now and in the future.

English Also available in: French

The global economic outlook could heighten regional inequalities in OECD countries

The global economy is facing mounting challenges. Growth has lost momentum, core inflation is persistent and confidence has weakened. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine pushed up prices substantially, adding to inflationary pressures at a time when the cost of living was already rapidly rising around the world. While the global economy seems to be turning a corner, uncertainty is high. This global outlook is translating into different outcomes across places and risks exacerbating already high and persistent regional inequalities in many OECD countries.

English Also available in: French

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error