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Why did agricultural labour productivity not converge in Europe from 1950 to 2005?

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel Martín-Retorillo

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Vincente Pinilla

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Abstract

This paper offers a long-term analysis of agricultural labour productivity differences in Europe using econometric techniques. The results show the crucial importance of the land/labour ratio. The continuous exit of manpower from the sector, coupled with increased use of productive factors originating in other sectors of the economy, caused the efficiency of agricultural workers to rise. The different relative importance of these processes across countries largely explains why labour productivity did not converge. In turn, institutions have apparently conditioned differences in productivity, as a direct and inverse relation is detected between membership of the EU and the Communist block and the productivity of agricultural labour.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Martín-Retorillo & Vincente Pinilla, 2012. "Why did agricultural labour productivity not converge in Europe from 1950 to 2005?," Working Papers 0025, European Historical Economics Society (EHES).
    • Handle: RePEc:hes:wpaper:0025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Baer-Nawrocka, Agnieszka, 2016. "The Role Of Agriculture In The National Economy Of Eu Countries," Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland, vol. 42(4).
    3. Miguel Martín-Retortillo & Vicente Pinilla, 2013. "Patterns and causes of growth of European agricultural production, 1950-2005," Documentos de Trabajo (DT-AEHE) 1302, Asociación Española de Historia Económica.
    4. Karolina Pawlak & Luboš Smutka & Pavel Kotyza, 2021. "Agricultural Potential of the EU Countries: How Far Are They from the USA?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, March.
    5. Anna Nowak & Anna Kobiałka & Artur Krukowski, 2021. "Significance of Agriculture for Bioeconomy in the Member States of the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Agricultural labour productivity; European agriculture 20th century; European economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N50 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • N54 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Europe: 1913-
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q10 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - General

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