Definition

Labour productivity is defined as GDP per hour worked. Growth in per capita GDP is broken down into the contribution of labour productivity growth, on one side, and changes in labour utilisation (measured as hours worked per capita), on the other. High labour productivity growth can reflect greater use of capital and/or falling employment of low-productivity workers.

The indicators shown here are based on measures of GDP and population coming from OECD's National Accounts. Actual hours worked are derived from either the OECD Annual National Accounts or from the OECD Employment Outlook. Hours worked reflect regular hours worked by full-time and part-time workers, paid and unpaid overtime, hours worked in additional jobs and time not worked because of public holidays, annual paid leaves, strikes and labour disputes, bad weather, economic conditions and other reasons.

For zone aggregates, GDP estimates have been converted to constant US dollars using 2000 constant Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs).

For more statistics on economic, environmental and social issues visit online the OECD Factbook 2010.