Many places in the OECD face declining and ageing populations. This trend will continue. 14 OECD countries are expecting to lose population by 2040. In some regions this trend will be lasting and strong, with some projected to lose 20% or more of their population by 2050. Strong population shrinkage brings challenges that are best addressed at the regional and local level. For example, the costs of services and infrastructure provision rise per person, while quality and access risks declining. Affected regions typically struggle with labour and skill shortages, deteriorating real estate values, eroding tax bases and vacant buildings. The effects vary across regions: while people often migrate from rural to urban regions, some cities and towns are also affected by population decline. Local policies, delivered with national support, are necessary to foster well-being, economic and environmental sustainability. They need to cover government finances, infrastructure and service provision as well as multilevel governance.

People migrate for different reasons. Some flee the aftermath of violence, persecution or natural disasters, others are in search of a better life, or economic opportunities to support communities at home. Despite their diverse motivations and needs, the men, women, and children on the move all play an inherent part in the economic and social development of both their host and origin countries. Those roles must be considered when setting policies and strategies for sustainable development. In partnership with UN organisations and other bodies, the OECD analyses the implications of migration and forced displacement for the development of low- and middle-income countries, in pursuit of the best human and development outcomes.

Labour migration can help to address growing labour shortages in OECD countries. The global competition for talent is also becoming more competitive, with many different factors influencing the choice of destination for migrants. At the same time, with high numbers of asylum seekers recently arriving in OECD countries, the issue of returning and reintegrating those whose request for protection has been denied is an issue of high policy concern.

The winds of globalisation are shifting – countries and regions are testing policies to usher in the green transition, harness technology and secure supply chains. Yet the playing field isn’t always level, neither between regions in different countries nor for those within countries. Moving to solutions starts with a better understanding of a region’s position in the global economy, its regional assets and the policy levers available to make places more inclusive, sustainable and attractive.

Improving people's well-being requires sound evidence-based policies. We produce indicators for regions, cities and local areas in all areas of well-being. We promote international comparability, as well as the use of cutting-edge methods and new sources of data. Our network of experts advises on best practices for the production and use of high-quality statistics.