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Is Productivity on Vacation? The Impact of the Digital Economy on the Value of Leisure

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  • Benjamin Bridgman

    (Bureau of Economic Analysis)

Abstract

Many recent digital innovations (like video games) augment the value of leisure time, which is not captured by Gross Domestic Product. Therefore, the productivity impact of such innovations may be understated. I develop the theoretical foundations for measuring the value of leisure when it is produced using the household’s leisure time and recreational durable goods. I apply this framework to estimate the value of US leisure from 1948 to 2016. While the value of leisure is large, it has become less important over time. I find that productivity growth of leisure time has slowed in the digital era. Household stocks of digital goods are small, so have relatively little impact on leisure value. I conclude that mismeasurement due to household digital goods is not a first-order cause of the recent productivity slowdown.
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  • Benjamin Bridgman, 2018. "Is Productivity on Vacation? The Impact of the Digital Economy on the Value of Leisure," BEA Working Papers 0148, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:bea:wpaper:0148
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Bridgman, 2016. "Engines of Leisure," BEA Working Papers 0137, Bureau of Economic Analysis.
    2. Ian Goldin & Pantelis Koutroumpis & François Lafond & Julian Winkler, 2024. "Why Is Productivity Slowing Down?," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 62(1), pages 196-268, March.

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    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General

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