There are three key areas of change that are needed in the field of Indigenous statistics to support the production of data to better inform decision-making about economic development. The first is to address gaps in official data collected by national governments and statistical offices. The second is to collect data about more dimensions of well-being and develop indicators that are inclusive of Indigenous values and perspectives. The third, and most important, is to include Indigenous peoples in the process of data collection and empower them to own and use their data.
Indigenous communities
Approximately 39.5 million Indigenous peoples live across 14 OECD countries, and they are concentrated spatially, making geography a key factor in shaping well-being outcomes. Although Indigenous peoples make up about 5% of the world’s population, they represent 15% of the world’s extreme poor and one-third of the rural poor (UN). These gaps are larger in rural and remote areas. In comparison to non-Indigenous populations, the employment gap is more pronounced in rural regions, with an average difference of 20.2 percentage points compared to 8.4 percentage points in urban areas across OECD member countries like Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States).
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Key messages
Facilitate policy coherence by developing (or enhancing) national strategic policy frameworks for Indigenous economic development. Align implementation and enhance coordination between levels of government and across different sectoral policies as well as with Indigenous communities. Create opportunities for meaningful participation in government decision-making for Indigenous peoples. Provide resources and tools to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous-led organisations.
Indigenous land rights and clear property rights provide the basis for economic development. Indigenous lands are territories and waters that Indigenous peoples traditionally use or occupy. These lands have a unique legal status where Indigenous peoples have formal recognition as “first peoples”. Clarification of property rights over land and waters is critical for Indigenous peoples to mobilise assets and achieve self-determination.
Indigenous entrepreneurship can unlock own-source revenues and support businesses that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge and values. Entrepreneurship presents Indigenous peoples with the opportunity to use assets and resources in ways that align with their objectives for development and can generate opportunities for own-source revenues. However, Indigenous peoples have lower rates of entrepreneurship than non-Indigenous populations.
Context
Indigenous populations in OECD member countries
The size of Indigenous populations differs significantly across OECD member and non-member countries.
Participation in the labour market has important implications in many Indigenous peoples’ lives
At the national level, Indigenous peoples have lower employment rates than rest of the population. Finding a job and being employed under secure, well-paid and stable work conditions can help Indigenous peoples break dependency relationships with governments by giving them independent sources of income.
Workshops
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