Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - Bias and Credibility

LEAST BIASED

These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.

Overall, we rate the OECD as least biased based on presenting a balanced view between social and economic concerns. We also rate them as high for factual reporting due to proper sourcing, data-driven analysis, and a clean fact-check record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED (-0.5)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.0)
Country: France
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was established in 1961 with the objective of promoting policies that enhance the economic and social well-being of people globally. Headquartered in Paris, France, the OECD collaborates with governments, policymakers, and citizens to set international standards and provide evidence-based policy analysis. It is currently led by Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, who has held the position for a five-year term since June 1, 2021.

Read our profile on France’s media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

Its 38 member countries fund the OECD. Each member country contributes to the organization’s budget based on the size of its economy. The most significant contributor is the United States, providing 18.3% of the Part I budget for 2023. Other significant contributors include Japan (8.5%), Germany (7.6%), and the United Kingdom (5.5%). The Part I Budget for 2024 is EUR 229.9 million, while Part II Budgets covering specific programs amount to EUR 122.1 million, bringing the total to EUR 352 million. This ensures the OECD can provide data, analysis, and policy recommendations on various global issues.

Analysis / Bias

The OECD has a centrist bias. It provides balanced, fact-based analysis on socio-economic topics to inform global policy decisions.

For example, the report “OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2024 Issue 1” offers a comprehensive analysis of global economic trends and projections for the next two years. It covers all OECD member countries and selected non-member countries, providing detailed economic assessments, projections for output, employment, government spending, prices, and current balances. The report includes a general assessment, country-specific summaries, and an extensive statistical annex. Access to the full report requires a subscription or prior purchase on the OECD iLibrary, but it can also be viewed in alternative formats such as WEB or READ.

For instance, regarding Turkiye, the report highlights projected real GDP growth, inflation trends, fiscal policies, and structural reforms needed for macroeconomic stabilization and long-term growth potential. It details how Turkey’s GDP growth is expected to slow, inflation remains high, and the need for fiscal and monetary tightening to stabilize the economy.

Another publication, “Health at a Glance 2023,” provides an overview of health systems in OECD countries, presenting data on healthcare spending, health outcomes, and policy implications. The report is factual and data-driven, reflecting the organization’s commitment to high-quality, evidence-based analysis. The report uses data from the OECD Health Statistics database, Eurostat, and the UN Demographic Yearbook, ensuring a factual and data-driven analysis.

Additionally, The OECD provides corrigenda for their publications, which are corrections or updates to previously published material. These corrigenda ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in their reports and publications. Users can access these corrections through the OECD’s official Corrigenda page. This page lists all the updates and corrections made to various OECD publications, maintaining transparency and credibility in their data and analysis.

In general, the OECD promotes inclusive economic growth, addresses social and economic challenges, and fosters unity. This includes efforts to combat inequality and promote social cohesion, aligning with some left-of-center principles. However, the organization also supports free-market policies and economic liberalization, typically associated with center or center-right positions. Therefore, the OECD is centrist, with a slight lean towards left-of-center, balancing economic growth with social and environmental considerations.

Failed Fact Checks

None in the Last 5 years. Their data is referenced by IFCN fact checkers.

Overall, we rate the OECD as least biased based on presenting a balanced view between social and economic concerns. We also rate them as high for factual reporting due to proper sourcing, data-driven analysis, and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsing 06/14/2024) Updated (04/25/2025)

Source: https://www.oecd.org/

Last Updated on April 25, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check