--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-24/difficulties-assessing-multifactor-productivity-for-canada/" title: "Difficulties Assessing Multifactor Productivity for Canada" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-13T07:33:51+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-13T07:33:51+00:00" post_type: "ipm" summary: "" ipm_issue_period: - "Fall 2012" ipm_keyword: - "BLS" - "Canada" - "capital services" - "EU KLEMS" - "MFP measurement" - "productivity bias" - "rates of return" - "Statistics Canada" - "World KLEMS" ipm_research_theme: - "Measurement and methodology" ipm_country_focus: - "Canada" - "International" - "United States" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IPM_50_banner.webp" status: "publish" --- # Difficulties Assessing Multifactor Productivity for Canada Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-24/difficulties-assessing-multifactor-productivity-for-canada/ # Difficulties Assessing Multifactor Productivity for Canada [Download full PDF article](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-24-6-Harper-Nakamura-Zhang.pdf) Cite this article × Cite this article as: Harper, Michael, Alice Nakamura, and Lu Zhang. 2012. “Difficulties Assessing Multifactor Productivity for Canada.” International Productivity Monitor, No. 24 (Fall 2012): 76–84. https://www.csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-24/difficulties-assessing-multifactor-productivity-for-canada/ ## Authors: - Michael Harper U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (retired); University of Alberta - Alice Nakamura U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (retired); University of Alberta - Lu Zhang U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (retired); University of Alberta ## IPM Issue 24 Fall 2012 pp. 76–84 ## Related IPM articles [The Relationship between Efficiencies Defenses for Mergers and TFP Growth Robin Shaban Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 82–102](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/the-relationship-between-efficiencies-defenses-for-mergers-and-tfp-growth/) [Appendix: Variable Definitions and Country/Sector Coverage for Regulatory Reform Analysis Gilbert Cette, Jimmy Lopez, Giuseppe Nicoletti, Océane Vernerey Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 1–18](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/appendix-variable-definitions-and-country-sector-coverage-for-regulatory-reform-analysis/) [The Potential Impact of Pro-competitive Regulatory Reforms on Productivity and Growth in Canada Gilbert Cette, Jimmy Lopez, Giuseppe Nicoletti, Océane Vernerey Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 3–40](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/the-potential-impact-of-pro-competitive-regulatory-reforms-on-productivity-and-growth-in-canada/) [IPM Issue 49 Editors’ Overview Andrew Sharpe, Bart van Ark, Paul Schreyer Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 1–2](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/) [How Does Industrial Policy Impact Output, Hours and Productivity? The Canadian Experience Tim Sargent Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 39–53](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/how-does-industrial-policy-impact-output-hours-and-productivity-the-canadian-experience/) [Accounting for the Decline of Canada’s Real GDP Per Capita since Mid-2022 Philip Smith Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 83–100](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/accounting-for-the-decline-of-canadas-real-gdp-per-capita-since-mid-2022/) [IPM Issue 47 Editors’ Overview Andrew Sharpe, Bart van Ark Fall 2024 | IPM Issue 47 | pp. 1–2](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-47/) [Data Appendix: International Comparison of UK Productivity John Van Reenen, Xuyi Yang Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 38–82](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/data-appendix-international-comparison-of-uk-productivity/) [Appendix: EUKLEMS & INTANProd Industry Coverage and Intangible Asset Treatment Filippo Bontadini, Carol Corrado, Jonathan Haskel, Massimiliano Iommi, Cecilia Jona-Lasinio, Tsutomu Miyagawa Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 1–4](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/appendix-euklems-intanprod-industry-coverage-and-intangible-asset-treatment/) [IPM Issue 46 Editors’ Overview Andrew Sharpe, Bart van Ark Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 1–2](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn In 2011, Canada’s business sector multifactor productivity (MFP) index, as estimated by Statistics Canada, was below that for 1977, a third of a century earlier. Over these years, public policies were enacted to try to improve Canada’s productivity. Yet the nation’s MFP continued to fall, relative to both the past and Canada’s main trading partners. Policymakers and business decision makers need to know whether Canada’s MFP statistics accurately reflect the nation’s productivity. We argue that they do not. RÉSUMÉ En 2011, l’indice de la productivité multifactorielle (PMF) du secteur des entreprises du Canada tel qu’estimé par Statistique Canada en 2011 était inférieur à celui de 1977, plus d’une trentaine d’années plus tôt. Pendant des années les politiques publiques ont été développées pour améliorer la productivité du Canada. Pourtant, l’indice du PMF continue à decliner, par rapport au passé et aux principaux partenaires commerciaux du Canada. Il est crucial pour les responsables des politiques et les décideurs des milieux d’affaires de savoir si la situation reflète fidèlement le rendement du Canada sur le plan de la PMF. Nous soutenons que cela n’est pas le cas. I N 2011, C ANADA ’S BUSINESS SECTOR multi- En 2011, l’indice de productivité multifactorielle (PMF) du secteur des entreprises au Canada, tel qu’estimé par Statistique Canada, était inférieur à celui de 1977, plus d’un tiers de siècle plus tôt. Au cours de ces années, des politiques publiques ont été mises en œuvre pour tenter d’améliorer la productivité du Canada. Pourtant, la PMF nationale a continué de diminuer, tant par rapport au passé que par rapport aux principaux partenaires commerciaux du Canada. Les décideurs et les acteurs du monde des affaires doivent savoir si les statistiques de PMF du Canada reflètent fidèlement la productivité nationale. Nous soutenons que ce n’est pas le cas. [Download full PDF](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-24-6-Harper-Nakamura-Zhang.pdf)