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The Decline in Capital Efficiency and Labour Share

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  • Fernando del Río
  • Francisco‐Xavier Lores

Abstract

We calibrate and simulate a neoclassical growth model with a variable elasticity of substitution production function and three types of technological change: labour‐augmenting, capital‐augmenting and investment‐specific. In this framework, we find that the decline in US labour share was caused by a large decline in capital efficiency, which led to a decrease in the ratio of effective capital to effective labour in a context in which capital and labour are gross complements. Moreover, the decline in the relative price of investment contributed to reducing the fall in US labour share, while the increase in the economic depreciation rate of US fixed assets accounted for a small reduction in US labour share.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando del Río & Francisco‐Xavier Lores, 2019. "The Decline in Capital Efficiency and Labour Share," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 86(344), pages 635-662, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:econom:v:86:y:2019:i:344:p:635-662
    DOI: 10.1111/ecca.12279
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    Cited by:

    1. Bom, Pedro R.D. & Erauskin, Iñaki, 2022. "Productive government investment and the labor share," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 347-363.
    2. Hashimoto, Ken-ichi & Im, Ryonghun & Kunieda, Takuma & Shibata, Akihisa, 2022. "Financial destabilization," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Fernando del Río & Francisco‐Xavier Lores, 2023. "Accounting for the role of investment frictions in recessions," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 90(360), pages 1089-1118, October.
    4. Dreger, Christian & Fourné, Marius & Holtemöller, Oliver, 2023. "Globalization, productivity growth, and labor compensation," IWH Discussion Papers 7/2022, Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), revised 2023.
    5. Mary O’Mahony & Michela Vecchi & Francesco Venturini, 2021. "Capital Heterogeneity and the Decline of the Labour Share," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 88(350), pages 271-296, April.
    6. del Río, Fernando & Lores, Francisco-Xavier, 2023. "Accounting for spanish economic development 1850–2019," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    7. del Río, Fernando & Lores, Francisco-Xavier, 2021. "Accounting for U.S. economic growth 1954–2017," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    8. Mary O'Mahony & Michela Vecchi & Francesco Venturini, 2019. "Technology, Intangible Assets and the Decline of the Labor Share," Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE) Discussion Papers ESCoE DP-2019-17, Economic Statistics Centre of Excellence (ESCoE).
    9. del Río, Fernando & Lores, Francisco-Xavier, 2023. "Accounting for the role of investment frictions in recessions," MPRA Paper 116024, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. del Río, Fernando & Lores, Francisco-Xavier, 2020. "Accounting for U.S. post-war economic growth," MPRA Paper 100716, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. del Río, Fernando & Lores, Francisco-Xavier, 2023. "Accounting for Spanish economic development 1850-2019," MPRA Paper 116025, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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