International Productivity Comparisons: An Examination of Data Sources

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Abstract

This article provides researchers and policy analysts with a guide to publicly available databases for international productivity comparisons, covering labour productivity, output per hour, and total factor productivity at the total economy and industry levels. It discusses key methodological issues including the use of purchasing power parities (PPPs), comparability of hours-worked data, and differences in national accounting standards for software and the underground economy. Major data sources reviewed include the OECD, the Conference Board, the Groningen Growth and Development Centre, the BLS, and Statistics Canada.

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