Finland took the number one spot in the OECD’s PISA 2006 survey, a comprehensive and much-quoted international yardstick of secondary school student performance. Finland was followed by Hong Kong- China, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Estonia, Japan and New Zealand. Australia, the Netherlands, Korea, Germany, the UK, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Ireland also scored above the OECD average. Mexico finished last among OECD countries.

Output grew by 5% in 2006, and strong growth has continued into 2007, underpinned by a robust export performance and sustained strength in consumption. While healthy employment growth is projected to continue, leading to a further decline in unemployment, output growth is expected to moderate.