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International
Comparison of Labor Productivity (2001)
(November 14, 2001) |
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| This
year, in addition to the usual comparison of OECD countries
(1999), the study included a comparison of countries throughout
the world using World Bank data (1998). This undertaking helped
to reveal details of labor productivity in Asian and Latin American
countries that were not known before. At the same time, the
survey also attempted to create an international competitiveness
index for the manufacturing sector. Labor productivity was
measured using the conventional method of calculating GDP
in dollars using purchasing power parities (PPPs) and dividing
it by the labor force employed. |
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| The
major findings are as follows. |
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| 1. |
In
the comparison of OECD countries, Japan’s labor productivity
(value-added per worker) in 1999 was 48,282 dollars (7,680,000
yen), and ranked 19th among 28 OECD countries and last among
major industrialized countries. (In last year’s report,
Japan’s labor productivity in 1998 was 46,357 dollars
(7,600,000 yen), and ranked 20th among 29 OECD countries.) |
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| 2. |
With
regard to Asia, a comparison of 63 countries and regions throughout
the world showed that, following Japan (20th in the world),
labor productivities were highest in Hong Kong (22nd), Singapore
(24th), and Korea (27th). The status of China was the focus
of much attention, but it ranked 60th. |
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| 3. |
In
terms of the labor productivity improvement rate for 1990–1998,
China displayed the highest rate, with an annual rate of 8.1%.
Chile came in second with 5.4%, but such Asian economies as
Thailand, Singapore, Korea, and Malaysia were also seen to
have high improvement rates. |
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4.
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According
to an index of people’s prosperity, measured as per capita
GDP calculated by purchasing power parity, Japan was 11th
in the world in 1999, with 24,898 dollars (3,910,000 yen).
(In 1998, Japan was 10th, with 23,874 dollars (3,920,000 yen).)
Japan marked its highest position in the world in 1991 and
1992, at 4th place. |
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| 5. |
Japan
ranked second among 23 countries for competitiveness of the
manufacturing sector measured according to the international
competitiveness index, and first among 58 countries in real
labor productivity standards for 1995–1998 evaluated
according to the currency exchange rate. In terms of wage
index, Japan ranked 40th among 43 countries. |
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