--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-32/total-factor-productivity-in-advanced-countries-a-long-term-perspective/" title: "Total Factor Productivity in Advanced Countries: A Long-term Perspective" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-13T07:42:26+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-13T07:42:26+00:00" post_type: "ipm" summary: "" ipm_issue_period: - "Spring 2017" ipm_keyword: - "1890-2015" - "Banque de France" - "electricity" - "Euro area" - "general purpose technology" - "ICT" - "Japan" - "long-term" - "TFP" - "United Kingdom" - "United States" ipm_research_theme: - "Productivity trends and comparisons" ipm_country_focus: - "Europe" - "International" - "Japan" - "United Kingdom" - "United States" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IPM_50_banner.webp" status: "publish" --- # Total Factor Productivity in Advanced Countries: A Long-term Perspective Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-32/total-factor-productivity-in-advanced-countries-a-long-term-perspective/ # Total Factor Productivity in Advanced Countries: A Long-term Perspective [Download full PDF article](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-32-1-Bergeaud-Lecat-Cette.pdf) Cite this article × Cite this article as: Bergeaud, Antonin, Gilbert Cette, and Rémy Lecat. 2017. “Total Factor Productivity in Advanced Countries: A Long-term Perspective.” International Productivity Monitor, No. 32 (Spring 2017): 6–24. https://www.csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-32/total-factor-productivity-in-advanced-countries-a-long-term-perspective/ ## Authors: - Antonin Bergeaud Banque de France - Gilbert Cette Banque de France; University of Aix-Marseille II (CEDERS); INSEE-CREST; University of Aix-Marseille II (CEDERS) - Rémy Lecat Aix-Marseille School of Economics ## IPM Issue 32 Spring 2017 pp. 6–24 ## Related IPM articles [Efficiency Adjustment of Hours Worked: Two Possible Modifications of a Jorgensen Production Model Barbara Fraumeni Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 103–115](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/efficiency-adjustment-of-hours-worked-two-possible-modifications-of-a-jorgensen-production-model/) [Labour Productivity as a Measure of Technological Change Ulrich Kohli Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 64–81](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/labour-productivity-as-a-measure-of-technological-change/) [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/) [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/) [De-industrialization and the Great Productivity Slowdown: What Comes Next? 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Bart van Ark, Klaas de Vries, Abdul Erumban Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 38–59](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/are-intangibles-running-out-of-steam/) [Cracking the Productivity Code: An International Comparison of UK Productivity John Van Reenen, Xuyi Yang Spring 2024 | IPM Issue 46 | pp. 60–82](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-46/cracking-the-productivity-code-an-international-comparison-of-uk-productivity/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn This article analyses and compares ten institutions that have a mandate to promote productivity-enhancing reforms. The selected bodies include government advisory councils, standing inquiry bodies, and ad hoc task forces. We find that well-designed pro-productivity institutions can generally improve the quality of the policy process and political debate, and can make a significant contribution to evidence-based policy-making. Our findings also support the view that concentrating knowledge and research on productivity in one independent, highly skilled and reputed body can help create the momentum and the knowledge that are required to promote long-term productivity growth. Institutions located outside government have more leeway in promoting reforms that challenge vested interests and produce results that go beyond the electoral cycle. Smart government bodies can allow experimental policy-making and a more adaptive, evidence-based policy process. To be successful, pro-productivity institutions require sufficient resources, skills, transparency and procedural accountability to fulfil their tasks; a sufficiently broad mission, oriented towards long-term well-being and with both supply-side and demand-side considerations; policy evaluation functions; and the ability to reach out to the general public in a variety of ways. Over the past two decades, promoting pro- Cet article analyse et compare dix institutions ayant pour mandat de promouvoir des réformes favorisant la productivité. Les organismes sélectionnés comprennent des conseils consultatifs gouvernementaux, des organes d’enquête permanents et des groupes de travail ad hoc. Nous constatons que des institutions bien conçues favorables à la productivité peuvent généralement améliorer la qualité du processus politique et du débat public, et peuvent apporter une contribution significative à l’élaboration de politiques fondées sur des données probantes. Nos conclusions soutiennent également l’idée que concentrer les connaissances et la recherche sur la productivité dans un organisme indépendant, hautement qualifié et réputé peut contribuer à créer l’élan et les connaissances nécessaires pour promouvoir la croissance de la productivité à long terme. [Download full PDF](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-32-1-Bergeaud-Lecat-Cette.pdf)