Mission

The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

The OECD provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. We work with governments to understand what drives economic, social and environmental change. We measure productivity and global flows of trade and investment. We analyse and compare data to predict future trends. We set international standards on a wide range of things, from agriculture and tax to the safety of chemicals.

We also look at issues that directly affect everyone’s daily life, like how much people pay in taxes and social security, and how much leisure time they can take. We compare how different countries’ school systems are readying their young people for modern life, and how different countries’ pension systems will look after their citizens in old age.

The OECD’s core values

• Objective: Our analyses and recommendations are independent and evidence-based.
• Open: We encourage debate and a shared understanding of critical global issues.
• Bold: We dare to challenge conventional wisdom starting with our own.
• Pioneering: We identify and address emerging and long term challenges.
• Ethical: Our credibility is built on trust, integrity and transparency.