Welcome to the OECD Dataset on Public Service Leadership and Capability (PSLC). Derived from the recommendation of the same name, it presents the latest results of surveys on public employment and management policies and practices of 35 OECD members, Brazil, Costa Rica1 and Romania. The data collected through this survey is an input to OECD work on public employment and management. More specifically, the data was used to produce 3 indicators on:
More information about the construction of the composite indicators can be found here. The information held in the database is made available free of charge. However, the data are protected by copyright and we request that you be sure to cite the OECD as the source (OECD Survey on Public Service Leadership and Capability). Furthermore, to help us track the impact, we would appreciate receiving electronic copies of any papers that cite the database, to be sent to the following address: pem@oecd.org. Any comments on the database are welcome and can be sent to pem@oecd.org.
The content of the database was collected through the 2020 Survey on Public Service Leadership and Capability. Responses were provided by delegates to the OECD Public Employment and Management Working Party (PEM-WP) and senior officials from ministries/agencies with responsibilities for public employment/management of the civil service. Data is available for 35 OECD countries, Brazil, Costa Rica1 and Romania.
The goal of the survey was to gather data to provide an improved understanding of different principles affecting public employment and human resources management across OECD members, and provide OECD members with a better picture of where they stand compared to other countries in these fields. The data collected through this survey allows making comparisons and analyse trends in the following fields:
Given different public employment structures across countries, comparability of data is a major challenge. In this regard, please read carefully the glossary of terms. The survey questionnaire has been developed in close co-operation with PEM-WP delegates. Survey answers underwent a verification process carried out by the OECD Secretariat in co-operation with delegates to the PEM-WP in order to enhance data quality and ensure comparability of answers across countries and over time.
Three composites indexes, based on this dataset, have been developed to measure contemporary public sector HRM developments and dilemmas on how best to manage human resources in the public sector in the 21st century, such as the extent of proactive recruitment practices, the management of the senior level public service, and the development of a diverse workforce. The variables comprising the indexes were selected based on their relevance to the concept.
More information on those composite indicators, are available in the 2021 version of Government at a Glance or please go to OECD.stat.
• OECD (2020), Public Service Leadership and Capability Survey
• OECD (2020), Public Service Leadership and Capability Survey, glossary of terms used
• OECD (forthcoming), The Future of Work in the Public Service
• Gerson, D. (2020), "Leadership for a high performing civil service: Towards senior civil service systems in OECD countries", OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, No. 40, OECD Publishing, Paris
• Nolan-Flecha, N. (2019), "Next generation diversity and inclusion policies in the public service: Ensuring public services reflect the societies they serve", OECD Working Papers on Public Governance, No. 34, OECD Publishing, Paris
• OECD (2017), Skills for a High Performing Civil Service, OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris
• OECD (2016), Engaging Public Employees for a High-Performing Civil Service, OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris