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A comparison of Structural Productivity Levels in the Major Industrialised Countries

Author Info

Listed author(s):
  • Bourlès, R.
  • Cette, G.

Abstract

Hourly labour productivity levels in a number of European countries are thought to be very close to, or possibly even higher than the level 'observed' in the United States. At the same time, however, there are big differentials between hours worked and/or employment rates in these countries and in the United States. Frequent mention is also made of the theory of diminishing returns to hours worked and the employment rate. The object of the analysis proposed here is to adjust the 'observed' levels of hourly productivity for the effect of the differentials (with the United States) in the hours worked and/or employment rates of several categories of the population of working age in order to calculate 'structural' hourly productivity. The results obtained confirm the diminishing returns to hours worked and the employment rate (especially where young and elderly people are concerned). The level of 'structural' hourly productivity appears to be highest in the United States, suggesting that the differential between per capita GDP in the European countries and in the United States is attributable to hours worked and employment rates being at lower levels, and also to lower 'structural' hourly productivity.

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File URL: https://publications.banque-france.fr/sites/default/files/medias/documents/working-paper_133_2005.pdf
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Paper provided by Banque de France in its series Working papers with number 133.

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Length: 32 pages
Date of creation: 2005
Handle: RePEc:bfr:banfra:133
Contact details of provider: Postal:
Banque de France 31 Rue Croix des Petits Champs LABOLOG - 49-1404 75049 PARIS

Web page: http://www.banque-france.fr/

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Keywords: Productivity ; employment rares ; working time ; ICTs ; well-being.;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
  • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
  • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
  • F01 - International Economics - - General - - - Global Outlook

References listed on IDEAS
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