Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs
Main Findings from the 2022 OECD Risks that Matter Survey
Prices of essentials like energy and food have increased dramatically in OECD countries,
adding uncertainty to household finances despite a persistently strong labour market
post COVID-19. The latest edition of the OECD Risks that Matter (RTM) survey confirms
that costs of living are at the top of people’s minds even in the world’s wealthiest
countries: around nine in ten respondents, on average, report feeling concerned about
inflation. Drawing on a representative sample of 27 000 respondents across 27 OECD
countries, RTM illustrates respondents’ perceived economic risks, levels of satisfaction
with current social policies, and preferences for future government action on social
protection. People are calling on governments to help with the cost-of-living crisis,
to spend more on health post COVID-19, and to reinforce support for older people,
including in long-term care. Based on a comprehensive cross-national survey of perceptions
of social protection, this report offers lessons for the functioning of social programmes
as countries emerge from COVID-19, manage the cost-of-living crisis, and plan for
future challenges.