Issue 16 | People are living longer. How should pension systems adapt?
Welcome to OECD Policy Focus, where we brief you on the latest policy analysis from our experts.
Our webinar this week on addressing gender-based violence examined how co-ordinated action across sectors can strengthen prevention, enhance protection and improve support for survivors. Drawing on new evidence from the OECD’s Gender Equality in a Changing World report, the session brought together perspectives from policy, research and frontline services. Watch the replay here.
In addition, here is what you can expect from this week's edition of Policy Focus:
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Consult our recent work on improving universities’ financial sustainability, research security, rural innovation and cutting food waste.
THE DEEP DIVE: Compare retirement ages in OECD countries and see when someone who started their career in 2024 can expect to retire.
THE LAST WORD: Policy Analyst Margaux Tharaux outlines policy solutions for regions with declining populations that are competing for new residents.
COMING SOON: Secure your spot at OECD webinars and publication launches.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Reports of universities that are unable to balance their books or to invest adequately in their staff and infrastructure to meet future requirements are common. But what policy tools are available to ensure a financially sustainable higher education system that serves students and society?
As governments link science and technology more tightly to national and economic security goals, research security policies have surged almost tenfold since 2018. This blog explores what research security means, why it matters, and how to balance protection with openness in global science.
Over half of rural regions outperformed national GDP per capita (economic output per person) in 13 OECD countries between 2001-2021. Rural regions are driving growth, and an OECD policy toolkit provides concrete recommendations on tailoring support for their continued innovation.
Food waste reduction requires more than good habits at home: laws, markets and infrastructure all dictate whether countries meet their targets for food loss and waste. More consistent data and quantifiable targets could help governments, businesses and citizens work in the same direction.
THE DEEP DIVE
Retirement ages are set to rise in over half of OECD countries. For those who started their careers in 2024, the normal retirement age will increase on average to 66.4 years for men and 65.9 years for women, which is about two years more than workers retiring now.
This edition of Pensions at a Glance includes a focus on the gender pension gap. Women receive monthly pensions that are 23% lower than men’s on average across OECD countries, despite declining by 5 percentage points from 28% in 2007. Countries will need to put in place a comprehensive strategy encompassing labour market, family and pension policies to resolve this pension gender gap.
THE LAST WORD
Many OECD regions and cities are grappling with demographic decline and ageing. Between 2001 and 2021, nearly 40% of remote regions lost inhabitants. For areas looking to reverse this trend and boost regional prosperity, their answer could come in the form of mobilising diaspora communities to return.
Policy Analyst Margaux Tharaux looks at how regions can engage diasporas at scale to help bolster the workforce, regional investment and civic engagement.
COMING SOON
1-2 December: Global Forum on Competition 2025
2 December: Launch of the OECD Economic Outlook
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Population ageing isn’t just a demographic trend — it’s a stress test for every system built on outdated labour assumptions. If pension models don’t integrate care, longevity, and unequal lifetime earnings, the gap won’t narrow. It will calcify.