--- canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-35/the-stylized-facts-about-slower-productivity-growth-in-canada/" title: "The Stylized Facts about Slower Productivity Growth in Canada" author: name: "CSLS" url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/" date_published: "2026-07-13T07:52:41+00:00" date_modified: "2026-07-13T07:52:41+00:00" post_type: "ipm" summary: "" ipm_issue_period: - "Fall 2018" ipm_keyword: - "1961-2016" - "Canada" - "CSLS" - "goods sector" - "labour productivity" - "manufacturing" - "productivity" - "Statistics Canada" - "stylized facts" - "TFP" ipm_research_theme: - "Productivity trends and comparisons" ipm_country_focus: - "Canada" - "OECD" - "United States" featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IPM_50_banner.webp" status: "publish" --- # The Stylized Facts about Slower Productivity Growth in Canada Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-35/the-stylized-facts-about-slower-productivity-growth-in-canada/ # The Stylized Facts about Slower Productivity Growth in Canada [Download full PDF article](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-35-3-Sharpe-Tsang.pdf) Cite this article × Cite this article as: Sharpe, Andrew, and John Tsang. 2018. “The Stylized Facts about Slower Productivity Growth in Canada.” International Productivity Monitor, No. 35 (Fall 2018): 52–72. https://www.csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-35/the-stylized-facts-about-slower-productivity-growth-in-canada/ ## Authors: - Andrew Sharpe Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) - John Tsang Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) ## IPM Issue 35 Fall 2018 pp. 52–72 ## 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/) [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/) [Adult Skills and Productivity: New Evidence from PIAAC 2023 Dan Andrews, Balázs Égert, Christine de La Maisonneuve Fall 2025 | IPM Issue 49 | pp. 41–63](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-49/adult-skills-and-productivity-new-evidence-from-piaac-2023/) [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/) [De-industrialization and the Great Productivity Slowdown: What Comes Next? Paul Fisher Spring 2025 | IPM Issue 48 | pp. 115–138](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-48/de-industrialization-and-the-great-productivity-slowdown-what-comes-next/) [The UK Productivity Slowdown: A Review of Timing, Magnitude, and Drivers Josh Martin Spring 2025 | IPM Issue 48 | pp. 1–34](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-48/the-uk-productivity-slowdown-a-review-of-timing-magnitude-and-drivers/) [Appendix: UK Productivity Growth Rates Across Data Vintages and Studies Josh Martin Spring 2025 | IPM Issue 48 | pp. 65–73](https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-48/appendix-uk-productivity-growth-rates-across-data-vintages-and-studies/) ## Abstract ## Résumé EN FR Copy link Email LinkedIn This article establishes the stylized facts of Canada’s post-2000 productivity slowdown, providing a comprehensive picture using Statistics Canada business sector data at both aggregate and industry levels (15 industries, 1961-2016). Key findings: TFP accounts for the lion’s share of the post-2000 slowdown; the slowdown was primarily a within-industry phenomenon, not due to resource reallocation; it was concentrated in the goods sector; and manufacturing makes by far the largest industry contribution. The article also shows the reversal post-2010 with productivity growth accelerating in Canada relative to the U.S. Cet article établit les faits stylisés du ralentissement de la productivité au Canada après 2000, fournissant un portrait complet à l’aide des données du secteur des entreprises de Statistique Canada aux niveaux agrégé et industriel (15 industries, 1961-2016). Principaux constats : la PMF explique la part du lion du ralentissement post-2000; le ralentissement était principalement un phénomène intra-industriel, non dû à une réaffectation des ressources; il était concentré dans le secteur des biens; et le secteur manufacturier a apporté la plus grande contribution industrielle. L’article montre également le renversement post-2010, avec une accélération de la croissance de la productivité au Canada par rapport aux États-Unis. [Download full PDF](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-35-3-Sharpe-Tsang.pdf)