OECD report analyses people's well-being in times of crisis.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has presented the sixth edition of its "How's Life?" report . In this report, the OECD assesses whether the lives of people in its member countries have improved. To this end, the results of the biennial OECD "Risks that Matter" survey on well-being since 2019 are analysed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in inflation as a result of the attack on Ukraine. In this year's analysis, the OECD particularly emphasises the contribution of social security systems as a decisive factor for people's well-being. Accordingly, social security systems play a central role in protecting against economic risks, combating poverty and promoting social justice.

Lower life satisfaction

Compared to previous years, the report shows a mixed picture overall with regard to people’s life satisfaction. Even though many OECD countries are experiencing an economic recovery after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, life satisfaction remains affected by ongoing challenges such as inflation, geopolitical conflicts and social inequalities. Economic uncertainty in particular is having a negative impact on the quality of life of many people.

Among older people, life satisfaction was particularly affected by social isolation during the pandemic. Although some aspects such as the availability of healthcare services have improved, access to social networks and social participation remains a problem for many older people. Older people also often face greater financial insecurity.

Above-average satisfaction in Germany

The report shows above-average general life satisfaction in Germany. There are also only minor changes compared to the last decade, thus indicating relative stability despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in inflation. A similar trend can be observed for older people in Germany. The report does not provide specific data on the life satisfaction of the older population. However, the report emphasises that social inclusion and access to health services remain crucial to the well-being of older people, especially in times of crisis.

Pension reforms

Pension reforms have had mixed effects on people's well-being. They can have a positive impact on well-being if they take social justice issues and individual needs into account. For example, flexible transitions into retirement can promote well-being. Reforms such as raising the retirement age or adjusting pension calculations to demographic developments do help to ensure the sustainability of pension systems. Nevertheless, they are accompanied by increasing uncertainty about the future for certain population groups, particularly people with low incomes or unstable employment histories.

Health and Care

Overall, the report emphasises that a holistic policy that integrates health, care and social support is crucial for the well-being of the population. It emphasises that measures to improve the resilience of healthcare systems and promote healthier lifestyles are essential in order to meet the current challenges. According to the OECD, there is still a clear gap in access to healthcare, particularly for economically weaker population groups and rural regions. These inequalities have a negative impact on general well-being. The report emphasises the good medical care in Germany. However, chronic diseases and access to mental health are a burden on the population.

People are ambivalent about the care situation in Germany. While the quality of care services is considered good by international standards, concerns about costs and uneven availability, particularly in rural regions, characterise the perception. In addition, the shortage of skilled labour and the working conditions in the care sector are having a negative impact on quality and trust in the system.