Over the last ten years, a number of countries in Europe and in Asia have been able to significantly improve their employment situation, while most of the world was witnessing an increase in unemployment, underemployment and low paid work. What are the reasons for their success during that period? Can other countries learn from their experience?

The paper reviews the employment and labour market policies of these successful European and Asian countries. It attempts to draw some lessons and non-lessons from good practices for the benefit of policy makers in the developing world. Its objective is not to prescribe policy options, but rather to share with the constituents the knowledge accumulated in studying these countries.

 The paper summarizes findings from the research and advisory work on employment and labour market policies undertaken by a number of ILO colleagues in the field and at headquarters. Peter Auer prepared the section on industrialized countries, Alena Nesporova on transition countries and Elizabeth Morris on the Asia and Pacific countries.. The paper was originally prepared at the request of the Chilean Ministry of Labour in Spring 2003. The purpose of its publication as an ILO Employment Paper is to make it widely available to colleagues within the Office, to our constituents and to a wider external audience.

Edited by Claire Harasty