Policies to promote employee health and well-being not only protect from occupational risks, but also provide benefits for individuals and employers. Unhealthy lifestyles, characterised by high levels of stress, sedentary behaviour and poor eating habits, affect the health of employees and negatively impact workplace productivity.

This report addresses the latest trends in cancer incidence and mortality in the EU and reviews key cancer risk factors, cancer screening programmes and early diagnoses, and issues in the provision of high-quality cancer care.

This report uses the OECD Well-being Framework to systematically review how people’s economic, social, relational, civic and environmental experiences shape and are, in turn, shaped by their mental health. Based on this evidence, examples of co-benefits, or policy interventions that can jointly improve both mental health and other well-being outcomes, are identified for a range of government departments.

The deep and rapid changes in the world of work driven by the digital and green transformations as well as population ageing have been associated with greater job instability, with potential costs for companies, workers and society. The unprecedented labour and skill shortages that emerged during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic have raised further the importance of developing and retaining talent.

The Portuguese economy has rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 crisis. Though high inflation and weak global economic conditions have slowed growth in 2022, renewed fiscal support helped to cushion the impact. Public debt relative to GDP has declined below its 2019 level, but rapid population ageing and strong investment needs are increasing fiscal pressures.

The 2023 edition of Pensions at a Glance highlights the pension reforms undertaken by OECD countries over the last two years. It includes a special chapter focusing on pension provisions for hazardous or arduous work.

Belgium’s economy has been relatively resilient to recent shocks and is expected to continue to grow steadily. Public finances have deteriorated though. In absence of fiscal consolidation, the debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise fast. Cutting ineffective public spending and reforming the budgetary framework to increase accountability across governments would help ensure public finances are on a sustainable path. Reforms to taxes and benefits could foster labour market activation and expand the tax base. Strengthening prevention and return-to-work programmes could contribute to tackling the high and increasing take up of disability benefits and better support employment of people with reduced work capacity. A coordinated strategy to reduce administrative costs and facilitate small firms’ access to training could increase business dynamism and productivity. Targeted support for female entrepreneurs could also unlock additional potential of the SME sector. Achieving the green transition requires setting up binding targets and improving coordination of climate policy across federal and regional governments. Easing procedures and improved financing schemes would help deploy renewable energy production. Transparency in future environmental standards with adequate and well-targeted financial incentives would sustain household investment in energy efficiency and electrification, particularly in the transportation and building renovation sectors. SPECIAL FEATURES: LABOUR MARKET, CLIMATE POLICY, SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

This report examines primary health care across OECD countries before the COVID-19 pandemic, and draws attention to how primary health care is not living up to its full potential. Doing things differently – through new models of organising services, better co-ordination among providers, better use of digital technology, and better use of resources and incentives – helps to improve care, reduce the need for hospitalisations, and mitigate health inequalities.

Mental ill-health affects millions of people, and drives economic costs of more than 4% of GDP. A good mental health system helps people stay in good mental health, and connects those in need to appropriate support to manage their mental health condition or even fully recover from it.