Just 10% of regions accounted for more than half of total employment creation in most OECD countries between 1998 and 2003. This means that national growth tends to be driven by the dynamism of a small number of regions. Policy makers need sound statistical information on the source of regional competitiveness, but such information is not always available. Sub-national data are limited and regional indicators are difficult to compare between countries. OECD Regions at a Glance aims to fill this gap by analysing and comparing major territorial patterns and regional trends across OECD countries. It assesses the impact of regions on national growth. It identifies unused resources that can be mobilised to improve regional competitiveness. And it tackles more intangible factors that can make the difference: it shows how regions compete in terms of well-being (access to higher education, health services, safety etc.). Regions at a Glance presents over 30 indicators in a reader-friendly format. Each indicator is illustrated by graphs and maps. A dynamic link (StatLink) is provided for each graph and map, which directs the user to a web page where the corresponding data are available in Excel®.
Table of contents:
Executive Summary Symbols and Abbreviations I. Regions as Actors of National Growth 1. Geographic Concentration of Population 2. Geographic Concentration of the Elderly Population 3. Geogration Concentration of GDP 4. Regional Contributions to Changes in Employment 5. Geographic Concentraion of Industries 6. Regional Contributions to Changes in Employment 7. Geographic Concentration of Patents II. Making the Best of Local Assets 8. Regional Disparities in GDP per capita 9. Regional Disparities in Labour Productivity 10. Regional Disparities in Specialisation 11. Regional Disparities in Tertiary Education Attainment 12. Regional Disparities in Unemployment Rates 13. Regioanl Disparities in Participation Rates The Key Drivers of Regional Growth 14. The Factors behind Regional Performance 15. Regional Growth in the OECD 16. National Factos and Regional Performances 17. Regional Factors: GDP per Capita and Population 18. Regional Factors: Productivity and Specialisation 19. Regional Factors: Employment Particiaption and Ageing III. Competing on the Basis of Regional Well-Being 20. Accessibility: Distance from the Closest Urban Centre 21. Education: Student Enrollments in Tertiary Education 22. Voter Turnout in National Elections 23. Safety: Reported Crimes against Property 24. Safety: Reported Murders 25. Home Ownership 26. Environment: Private Vehicle Ownership 27. Environemnt: Municipal Waste IV. Regional Focus on Health 28. Age-Adjusted Mortality Rate 29. Health Status: Premature Mortalisty 30. Health Status: Incidence of Cancer 31. Health Resources: Number of Physicians 32. Health Resources: Density of Practicing Nurses 33. Health Resources: Hospital Beds 34. Health Resources: Medical Technology 35. Non-Medical Determinants of Health: Prevalence of Smoking 36. Non-Medical Determinants of Health: Prevalence of Obesity Source and Methodology Indexes and Formulas
