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The Evolution of International Output Differences (1960-2000): From Factors to Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Pedro Cavalcanti Ferreira

    (EPGE/FGV)

  • Samuel de Abreu Pessôa

    (EPGE/FGV)

  • Fernando A. Veloso

    (IBMEC Business School - Rio de Janeiro)

Abstract

This article presents a group of exercises of level and growth decomposition of output per worker using cross-country data from 1960 to 2000. It is shown that at least until 1975 factors of production (capital and education) were the main source of output dispersion across economies and that productivity variance was considerably smaller than in later years. Only after this date did the prominence of productivity start to show up in the data, as the majority of the literature has found. The growth decomposition exercises showed that the reversal of relative importance of productivity vis-a-vis factors is explained by the very good (bad) performance of productivity of fast- (slow-) growing economies. Although growth in the period, is on average, is mostly due to factor accumulation, its variance is explained by productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Cavalcanti Ferreira & Samuel de Abreu Pessôa & Fernando A. Veloso, 2005. "The Evolution of International Output Differences (1960-2000): From Factors to Productivity," IBMEC RJ Economics Discussion Papers 2005-11, Economics Research Group, IBMEC Business School - Rio de Janeiro.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibr:dpaper:2005-11
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cross-Country Income Inequality; Development; Total Factor Productivity; Aggregate Production Function; Growth Decomposition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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