Featured Data Additions, December 3, 2025

NORDIC → Norway → Employment, Earnings and Labor Cost → Flows between Labor Force Statuses

Flows between labor force statuses for Norway were added to the NORDIC database. This dataset includes measures in and out of employed, unemployed and inactive. Series are available as flows reported in thousands or flows reported as percents of the labor force status. Quarterly data are sourced from Statistics Norway and start in Q2 2006.

Chart: Historically, intersections between improving status flows and worsening status flows have aligned with recessionary periods in Norway. Since Q4 2020, improvements in labor force status flows have been greater than worsening labor force status flows. However, despite the flows never coming close to intersecting, Norway did experience a recessionary period in 2022 to 2023.

TRANSPRT → Selected Indicators By Country/Special Areas → South Korea → Cost of Exports and Imports Transportation by Air and Sea

Freight cost statistics for South Korea were added to TRANSPRT. Import and export maritime and air freight costs by major trading partners are available. These monthly data are sourced from Korea Customs Service and start in January 2019.

Chart: October 2025 saw ocean container export shipping rates in Korea fall across the board. YoY, rates to the EU fell by 41% marking 6 consecutive months of decreases. Rates to the east coast of the US and to China fell by 28% and 27%, respectively – marking 4 consecutive YoY monthly declines. These rate reductions are being fueled by a decrease in export volume bound for these regions. The rush by countries to front-load export shipments before the Trump administration imposes reciprocal tariffs has been easing.

EUFIN → Occupational Pension Funds Asset Exposures

Pension fund asset exposure statistics for Europe were added to EUFIN. This data set covers CIC0-CIC9 financial instruments including government & corporate bonds, equities, structured notes, etc. In all, over 50 financial instruments are available for 16 countries. These quarterly data are sourced from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and start in Q4 2020.

Chart: In July, EIOPA signaled a shift towards heightened liquidity resilience across the European occupational pensions landscape. Risk managers are now subject to enhanced regulatory scrutiny relating to stress testing, liquidity buffers and governance. This data set offers detailed country-level glimpses into asset exposure - e.g. Q2 2025 pension fund exposure to government bonds for Sweden sat at 30% for Swedish and French bonds, US bonds at 21% and German bonds at 11%.

EMERGEMA → South Africa → Business Cycle Indicators and Surveys → Agribusiness Confidence Index

The Agbiz/IDC Agribusiness Confidence Index (ACI) for South Africa was added to EMERGEMA. This series reflects the perceptions of at least 25 agribusiness decision-makers on the most important aspects influencing the agricultural sector. It is used by sector executives, policymakers and economists to understand the dynamics in the sector. Agribusiness is critically important to South Africa's economy as a driver of growth, a source of exports, and a contributor to food security.

Chart: The ACI fell for a second consecutive quarter by 2 points to 63 in Q3 2025. Most respondents highlighted the adverse effects of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and trade frictions with the US as their primary concerns. Despite the slight decline, the current level implies that South African agribusinesses remain optimistic about business conditions in the country.