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Perspectives on the Labor Share

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  • Loukas Karabarbounis

Abstract

As of 2022, the share of U.S. income accruing to labor is at its lowest level since the Great Depression. Updating previous studies with more recent observations, I document the continuing decline of the labor share for the United States, other countries, and various industries. I discuss how changes in technology and product, labor, and capital markets affect the trend of the labor share. I also examine its relationship with other macroeconomic trends, such as rising markups, higher concentration of economic activity, and globalization. I conclude by offering some perspectives on the economic and policy implications of the labor share decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Loukas Karabarbounis, 2023. "Perspectives on the Labor Share," Working Papers 800, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedmwp:97393
    DOI: 10.21034/wp.800
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    1. Andrew B. Abel & N. Gregory Mankiw & Lawrence H. Summers & Richard J. Zeckhauser, 1989. "Assessing Dynamic Efficiency: Theory and Evidence," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 56(1), pages 1-19.
    2. Susanto Basu, 2019. "Are Price-Cost Markups Rising in the United States? A Discussion of the Evidence," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 33(3), pages 3-22, Summer.
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    2. Jiyoon Oh, 2025. "The Micro-Level Anatomy of Korea’s Rising Labor Share," Korean Economic Review, Korean Economic Association, vol. 41, pages 175-210.
    3. Simcha Barkai & Surech Nallareddy & Maria Ogneva, 2025. "Capitalization of Intellectual Property Products Does Not Explain the Decline in the Labor Share," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 56, April.
    4. Bandyopadhyay, Sujan & Ferraro, Domenico, 2025. "Persistence of labor share fluctuations and overshooting," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    5. Hennessy, David A., 2025. "Information as a catalyst for industrialization," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    6. Schiozer, Nikolas & Lima, Gilberto Tadeu & Alexandre, Michel, 2026. "Heterogeneity in pricing behavior in hybrid DSGE-ABM macrodynamics," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    7. David Autor & B. N. Kausik, 2026. "Resolving the automation paradox: falling labor share, rising wages," Papers 2601.06343, arXiv.org.
    8. Garibaldi, Pietro & Turri, Enrico D., 2024. "Monopsony in Growth Theory," IZA Discussion Papers 17392, IZA Network @ LISER.
    9. Cheng, Rui & Li, Jing & Wu, Ting, 2024. "Competition policy and labor income share: Evidence from the antitrust policy in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 966-977.
    10. Masayuki MORIKAWA, 2025. "Are Productivity and Wages Decoupling in Japan? Divergence between macro and micro relationships," Discussion papers 25106, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • E20 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • D20 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - General

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