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2004
International Comparison of Labor Productivity (Analysis of
2002 data)
(November 19, 2004) |
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| Japan’s
productivity is 18th among the 30 OECD countries, but the
productivity of its manufacturing industry is 3rd highest
among 22 countries. |
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The
JPC-SED compiled the 2004 edition of the international comparison
of labor productivity. In addition to the usual comparison
of OECD countries according to OECD data, this year’s
study also included a comparison of non-OECD countries using
data presented by the World Bank and other organizations.
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. This year,
a comparison was also made of the labor productivity of manufacturing
industries.
The major findings are as follows. |
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| 1. |
Compared
to the OECD countries, Japan’s labor productivity (value-added
per worker) in 2002 was 18th place among the 30 OECD countries
and last among the seven major industrialized countries, at
54,264 dollars (7,920,000 yen). A re-calculation using new
data put Japan at the same rank as the previous year. |
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| 2. |
Japan’s
PPP-converted GDP per capita was 26,954 dollars (3,940,000
yen) in 2002. This corresponded to fifth place among the seven
major industrialized countries, a drop from last year’s
fourth place. In comparison with the 30 OECD countries, Japan
ranked 16th where it ranked 15th last year. |
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| 3. |
A
study of the relationship among what are commonly called Quality
of Life Indicators—i.e., per capita GDP, labor productivity,
and employment rate—revealed the strong influence of
labor productivity. In other words, improved productivity
was found to enhance overall quality of life. |
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| 4. |
Among
non-OECD countries, labor productivity was high in Hong Kong
and Israel, at around the 50,000 dollar level. China has been
showing dramatic growth, but it was 51st among 58 countries,
indicating that China is still a low productivity nation in
general. |
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| 5. |
In
regard to the labor productivity improvement rate, China came
in first among 71 countries, with an average annual growth
of approximately 8.5% during 1990 to 2002. Japan was 37th
with 1.2%. |
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Fig.
5 Growth rate of labor productivity (1990-2002) |
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| 6. |
The
labor productivity of Japan’s manufacturing industry
was 3rd among 22 countries. Ireland had the highest level,
followed by the US. This comparison was made using an exchange
rate derived by leveling the annual average exchange rate
according to a five-item weighted moving average method. |
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