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What Has Been Happening To Aggregate Concentration In The U.S. Economy In The Twenty‐First Century?

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  • Lawrence J. White
  • Jasper Yang

Abstract

This paper extends earlier data series on aggregate concentration in the U.S. economy—the percentage of aggregate economic activity that could be attributed to the largest “X” companies—into the first two decades of the twenty‐first century. We find that there has been a moderate but continued increase in aggregate concentration since the mid‐1990s. This increase appears in data on employment and payrolls that have been compiled by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, as well as employment and profits data that are drawn from the annual “Fortune 500” lists. This increase does not, however, appear to have raised aggregate concentration above the levels of the early 1980s. (JEL L10, L11, L19)

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrence J. White & Jasper Yang, 2020. "What Has Been Happening To Aggregate Concentration In The U.S. Economy In The Twenty‐First Century?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(3), pages 483-495, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:38:y:2020:i:3:p:483-495
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12460
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L10 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - General
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • L19 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Other

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