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The Decline of the US Labor Share Across Sectors

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  • Ivan Mendieta‐Muñoz
  • Codrina Rada
  • Rudi von Arnim

Abstract

We provide novel insights on the functional distribution of income in the postwar US economy, based on a Log Mean Divisia Index decomposition of the labor share by 14 sectors. We identify contributions from four components: real compensation, labor productivity, employment shares, and relative prices. The results are presented for the entire period as well as golden age (1948–1979) and neoliberal era (1979–2017), painting a detailed picture of structural changes. We find that (1) real compensation and labor productivity dominate; (2) manufacturing plays an important role in the recent decline of the labor share; (3) employment shifts toward service sectors with higher labor shares have buffered the decline; and (4) relative prices of services are increasing. We discuss these results in the context of Baumol’s and Lewis’s seminal contributions. Both theories build on the notion of coexistence of progressive and stagnant activities, which is documented in our sectoral decomposition.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan Mendieta‐Muñoz & Codrina Rada & Rudi von Arnim, 2021. "The Decline of the US Labor Share Across Sectors," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(3), pages 732-758, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:67:y:2021:i:3:p:732-758
    DOI: 10.1111/roiw.12487
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    3. Codrina Rada & Ansel Shiavone & Rudiger von Arnim, 2024. "An exploration of neo-Goodwinian theory of cyclical growth," Working Papers 2403, New School for Social Research, Department of Economics.
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    7. Codrina Rada & Ansel Schiavone & Rudiger von Arnim, 2022. "Goodwin, Baumol & Lewis: How structural change can lead to inequality and stagnation," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(4), pages 1070-1093, November.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D33 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Factor Income Distribution
    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • O5 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies

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