Statistical annex

OECD Economic Outlook, June, 2008

This annex contains data on some main economic series which are intended to provide a background to the recent economic developments in the OECD area described in the main body of this report. Data for 2007 to 2009 are OECD estimates and projections. The data on some of the tables have been adjusted to internationally agreed concepts and definitions in order to make them more comparable as between countries, as well as consistent with historical data shown in other OECD publications. Regional totals and sub-totals are based on those countries in the table for which data are shown. Aggregate measures contained in the Annex, except the series for the euro area (see below), are computed on the basis of 2000 GDP weights expressed in 2000 purchasing power parities (see following page for weights). Aggregate measures for external trade and payments statistics, on the other hand, are based on current year exchange rates for values and base-year exchange rates for volumes.

The OECD projection methods and underlying statistical concepts and sources are described in detail in documentation that can be downloaded from the OECD internet site:

* OECD Economic Outlook Sources and Methods (www.oecd.org/eco/sources-and.methods)

* OECD Economic Outlook Database Inventory (www.oecd.org/pdf/M00024000/M00024521.pdf)

* The construction of macroeconomic data series of the euro area (www.oecd.org/pdf/ M00017000/M00017861.pdJ)

Corrigenda for the current and earlier issues, as applicable, can be found at www.oecd.org/document/53/0,2340,en_2649_33733_37352309_1_1_1_1,00.html

NOTE ON NEW FORECASTING FREQUENCIES

OECD is now making quarterly projections on a seasonal and working day-adjusted basis for selected key variables. This implies that differences between adjusted and unadjusted annual data may occur, though these in general are quite small. In some countries, official forecasts of annual figures do not include working-day adjustment. Even when official forecasts do adjust for working days, the size of the adjustment may in some cases differ from that used by the OECD. The cut-off date for information used in the compilation of the projections is 23 May 2008.