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Aggregate Gains from AI and Their Distribution: Global Evidence from Usage Data

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  • Rachel Yuting Fan
  • Ha Minh Nguyen

Abstract

How large is the labor cost saved by AI, and how is it distributed across occupations? Using five waves of the Anthropic Economic Index (January 2025 to February 2026), we construct two novel measures from observed AI usage across countries over the world. The AI concentration index (ACI) shows that in developing economies, virtually all AI usage-based value is generated in a small professional enclave (ACI near 1.0); high-income economies average 0.4 to 0.5, with concentration declining in many countries. The labor cost equivalent (LCE) values the time currently saved by AI at $2.7 trillion annually (3.4% of GDP), an indicative measure of the labor cost of that time. Income and regulatory readiness predict concentration; lacking an official English language slows broadening, a barrier for developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Yuting Fan & Ha Minh Nguyen, 2026. "Aggregate Gains from AI and Their Distribution: Global Evidence from Usage Data," IMF Working Papers 2026/147, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2026/147
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