Understanding the Global Dynamics of Sectoral Labor Productivity

Abstract

This study provides some empirical evidence and quantification of differences in labor productivity among industries and countries. Using a recently available data base of value added per worker, country and time fixed effects are estimated first for various industries. Results are subsequently elaborated, to identify some time trends and sectoral profiles by country, which are in turn employed in a cluster analysis, summarizing some salient characteristics of industrial labor productivity in different economies.

Keywords: Labor productivity, structural change, economic dynamics, cluster analysis

JEL Classification: C23, C82, O11, O47