>And how does the above plays in relation to productivity growth? It seems that
>women work, low paying jobs and longer working hours have incresed
>productivity,
>right?
Up to a point. But if they're concentrated in low-productivity service jobs - how many more burgers can you flip in an hour, or how many more fingernails can you buff? - the overall contribution isn't that great.
>I read an article on a local magazine where it is said that US
>productivity has been increasing at 2% a year over the last decade. Is this
>number right?
LABOR PRODUCTIVITY average annual growth rate
all
nonfarm manuf'g
1950-60 2.5% 2.3% 1960-70 2.5% 2.3% 1970-80 1.9% 2.9% 1980-90 1.1% 2.7% 1990-99* 1.4% 3.8%
*1999, first quarter only
Doug