THE POWER OF PEOPLE, PLACES & FIRMS
Reading Time: 3 minutesEstonia is shrinking. The country’s population has contracted by 15% since 1991, to 1.3 million in 2020, and projections expect this trend to continue. What’s more, the trend is uneven. Among Estonians who remain, many leave remote and rural areas for bigger cities.
Reading Time: 4 minutesTwo years after the onset of COVID-19, the future of work remains a topic of lively, even heated, debate. Early in the pandemic, some were quick to announce the demise of the centre-city office. The apparent success of remote work, they said, would lead to a revival of the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas, with “work hubs” popping up as needed.
Reading Time: 3 minutesWith mounting pressures on water resources from climate, urbanisation and demographic trends in Africa, more partnerships between national and local leaders are needed. Mayors in particular now need to turn the key to unlock the development of better water policies for better lives.
Reading Time: 4 minutesMining regions face acute challenges in terms of well-being. National plans and policies alone will not bring well-being gains to mining communities.
Reading Time: 3 minutesBy 2050, up to 55% of the world population will be living in urban areas, consuming 80% of the world’s food. Already around a third of produced food goes to waste at a value of USD 940 billion annually.
Reading Time: 3 minutesLocal leaders will need to mobilise their communities to tackle the very different challenges they will face and seize new opportunities in making the transition to net zero, as set out in the 2021 OECD Regional Outlook. In doing so, they can bring together solutions to generate important local well-being benefits.
Reading Time: 3 minutes1 in 10 people across OECD countries are migrants. They bring fiscal benefits to their host countries. Latest OECD estimates across 25 countries show that migrants contributed USD 2.5 trillion in taxes annually, USD 570 billion more than governments spent on them.
Reading Time: 4 minutesMass adoption of remote working has reduced the value of living close to city centers along with demand for office space. A sharp adjustment in property prices is likely, presenting cities with significant fiscal risks. In response, mayors will need to rethink the role of city centers and actively work to shore up revenues.