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Structural Change and Labour Productivity in BRICS

Author

Listed:
  • Mungase, Sachin
  • Nikam, Supriya
  • Kothe, Satyanarayan

Abstract

The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have seen varying GDP growth rates, averaging around 5 percent in the 1990s, rising to 8 percent in the 2000s, and about 5.5 percent from 2011 to 2020. Structural change and labour productivity are key for sustained economic growth, achieved by reallocating resources to more productive activities. This study analyses employment changes and labour productivity from 1990 to 2018, focusing on labour shifts from less productive to more productive sectors, inter-sectoral changes in output and employment patterns, and the impact of structural changes on labour productivity. Using the Economic Transformation Database (ETD) and methodologies from various researchers, the study highlights significant structural changes in China and India, while Russia, Brazil, and South Africa show minimal change. It underscores the need for policies promoting education, vocational training, and reducing trade barriers to enhance productivity and economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Mungase, Sachin & Nikam, Supriya & Kothe, Satyanarayan, 2024. "Structural Change and Labour Productivity in BRICS," MPRA Paper 121607, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:121607
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • E00 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - General
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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