How are OECD societies progressing? How effective are their actions in promoting social progress?

“……Society at a Glance provides a basis for addressing these twin questions. It offers a concise overview of quantitative social trends and policies across the OECD. Society at a Glance gives an overview of social trends and policy developments in OECD countries using indicators taken from OECD studies and other sources. It attempts to help people see how their societies have changed, particularly in comparison with other countries. The report includes a wide range of information on social issues – such as demography and family characteristics, employment and unemployment, poverty and inequality, social and health care expenditure, and work and life satisfaction –as well as a guide to help readers understand the structure of OECD social indicators.

In addition to updating some of the indicators from previous editions, Society at a Glance 2009 adds several new and innovative social indicators, including adult height, perceived health status, risky youth behaviour and bullying. For the first time, the report also provides a condensed set of headline social indicators summarising social well-being in OECD countries. In addition, a special chapter examines leisure time across the OECD.The report reveals big differences in the amount of time men and women have for leisure. Italian men have nearly 80 minutes a day of leisure more than women. Much of the additional work of Italian women is apparently spent cleaning the house. Norway is the most equal society, with men having only a few more minutes of leisure than women.

Norwegians spend just over a quarter of their time on leisure, the highest among OECD countries, while Mexicans spend just 16%, the lowest.

So what are we doing with our leisure time? Watching TV absorbs nearly half of all leisure time in Mexico and Japan and falls to a low of 25% in New Zealand. Turkey is the most sociable nation, spending 35% of leisure time entertaining friends, more than triple the OECD average of 11%. But OECD countries are not very physically active: Spain reports the highest proportion of leisure time spent doing regular physical activities. Even there, exercise accounts for a mere 13% of leisure time.

Country notes and key findings are available from OECD website for Austria (in German), Canada, France (in English and French), Germany (in german), Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Switzerland (in German), United Kingdom and United States. PDF and XLS data and indicators are available for fee download in the following categories:

1. Headline Social Indicators

2. Measuring Leisure in OECD Countries

3. Interpreting OECD Social Indicators

4. General Context Indicators
Net national income per capita
Fertility rates
Migration
Marriage and divorce

5. Self-sufficiency Indicators
Employment
Unemployment
Childcare
Student performance
Not in employment, education or training
Age of labour force exit
Spending on education

6. Equity Indicators:
Income inequality
Poverty
Poverty among children
Adequacy of benefits of last resort
Public social spending
Total social spending

7. Health Indicators
Life expectancy
Perceived health status
Infant health
Obesity
Height
Mental health
Long-term care recipients
Health care expenditure

8. Social Cohesion Indicators
Life satisfaction
Work satisfaction
Crime victimisation
Suicides
Bullying
Risky behaviour