Inflation chart shows upward trend
iStockphoto

Labour market conditions remained stable in the second quarter, according to new data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The Paris-based group reported that both the employment rate and the labour force participation rate for the OECD overall were largely unchanged at record-high levels in the quarter.

“Both indicators were at or near their record highs in 13 of the 38 OECD countries,” it said, including Germany, Japan, France and Mexico.

The employment rate was above the OECD average of 70.2% in two-thirds of its countries, and the rate rose in almost half (18) of its countries, compared with the previous quarter, the OECD said.

Just five countries saw their employment rates decline.

The labour force participation rate also reached a record-high level at 74%, the OECD said, with the rate for women at a record high of 67.1%, and a record level of 81% for men.

The OECD also reported that the unemployment rate held steady at 4.9% for August, amid record lows in Europe.