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German Productivity - A Reassessment via the New Ifo Productivity Database

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  • Andreas Kuhlmann

Abstract

A detailed analysis of the German productivity development is indispensable for understanding, why Europe is lagging behind the US growth since the mid 1990s. In this paper a new and unique database is used to analyze the sources of German productivity growth since 1970. It is shown that investment in information and communication technology (ICT) played a minor role in the German productivity development. The results include detailed descriptive statistics and projections for output and labor productivity growth for the coming decade. The base-case projection puts overall trend output growth at 1.53 percent per year over the next decade. Average labor productivity will grow at an annual rate of 1.59 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Kuhlmann, 2006. "German Productivity - A Reassessment via the New Ifo Productivity Database," ifo Working Paper Series 35, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifowps:_35
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F43 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Economic Growth of Open Economies
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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