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Comparative levels of labour productivity and labour costs in manufacturing in Belgium and the Netherlands, 1921-1990

Author

Listed:
  • Jong, Herman de
  • Soete, Antoon

    (Groningen University)

Abstract

Belgium and The Netherlands share a lot of common characteristics in historical development, geographical location, political and institutional structure and in the size and degree of the openness of their economies. However, detailed comparisons of economic development of Belgium and The Netherlands have been largely neglected until now. This paper presents a comparative description of the development of labour productivity in Belgian and Dutch manufacturing for the period 1921-1990. Three comparative benchmark estimates of output and productivity for the years 1937, 1960 and 1987 were calculated, mainly based on census information. Levels of manufacturing productivity are extended backward and forward by linking time series of productivity change from 1921 to 1990 to the benchmarks.

Suggested Citation

  • Jong, Herman de & Soete, Antoon, 1999. "Comparative levels of labour productivity and labour costs in manufacturing in Belgium and the Netherlands, 1921-1990," CCSO Working Papers 199904, University of Groningen, CCSO Centre for Economic Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:gro:rugccs:199904
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    File URL: http://irs.ub.rug.nl/ppn/241062853
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cassiers, Isabelle & Solar, Peter, 1990. "Wages and Productivity in Belgium, 1910-60," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 52(4), pages 437-449, Special I.
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    4. Crafts,Nicholas & Toniolo,Gianni (ed.), 1996. "Economic Growth in Europe since 1945," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521499644, January.
    5. Jong, Herman J. de & Soete, Antoon, 1997. "Comparative productivity and structural change in Belgian and Dutch manufacturing : 1936-1987," GGDC Research Memorandum 199736, Groningen Growth and Development Centre, University of Groningen.
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    7. Cassiers, Isabelle & De Ville, Philippe & Solar, Peter, 1994. "Economic Growth in Post-War Belgium," CEPR Discussion Papers 986, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. Ark, Bart van & Jong, Herman de, 1996. "Accounting for economic growth in the Netherlands since 1913," GGDC Research Memorandum 199626, Groningen Growth and Development Centre, University of Groningen.
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    10. Jong, Herman de & Albers, Ronald, 1994. "Industrial output and labour productivity in the Netherlands, 1913-1929 : some neglected issues," GGDC Research Memorandum 199413, Groningen Growth and Development Centre, University of Groningen.
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