House prices have been moving up strongly in real terms since the mid-1990s in the majority of OECD countries, with the ongoing upswing the longest of its kind in the OECD area since the 1970s. If interest rates were to rise significantly, real house prices may be at risk of nearing a peak. The...

In West Africa, approximately 16 million people depend directly or indirectly on cotton cultivation. Cotton plays a vital role in the economic and social development of many countries, and in improving the livelihoods of the inhabitants. It has also enabled West Africa to become a major player...

Counterfeit and pirated products come from many economies, with China appearing as the single largest producing market. These illegal products are frequently found in a range of industries, from luxury items (e.g. fashion apparel or deluxe watches), via intermediary products (such as machines,...