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Natural Resources and Missing Inputs in International Productivity Comparisons

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  • Daan Freeman
  • Robert Inklaar
  • W. Erwin Diewert

Abstract

Standard theory for cross‐country productivity comparisons assumes all countries use the same factor inputs in production. This assumption is violated when including natural resources, such as oil, gas and gold, because countries do not extract the full set of resources. In this paper we propose a solution by viewing it as a “missing goods” problem and assigning missing inputs a reservation price equal to the world resource price. We show that this has a substantial impact on relative productivity levels for countries heavily reliant on natural resources for generating their income. Under our new productivity measure, resource‐rich countries are no longer uncommonly productive.

Suggested Citation

  • Daan Freeman & Robert Inklaar & W. Erwin Diewert, 2021. "Natural Resources and Missing Inputs in International Productivity Comparisons," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 67(1), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revinw:v:67:y:2021:i:1:p:1-17
    DOI: 10.1111/roiw.12451
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    1. Caselli, Francesco, 2005. "Accounting for Cross-Country Income Differences," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 9, pages 679-741, Elsevier.
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    Cited by:

    1. Josh Martin & Rebecca Riley, 2023. "Productivity measurement - Reassessing the production function from micro to macro," Working Papers 033, The Productivity Institute.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C43 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics - - - Index Numbers and Aggregation
    • C82 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Methodology for Collecting, Estimating, and Organizing Macroeconomic Data; Data Access
    • E01 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - General - - - Measurement and Data on National Income and Product Accounts and Wealth; Environmental Accounts

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