Database Specific
Database Specific Abstract AbstractProductivity is a key driver of economic growth and changes in living standards. Labour productivity growth implies a higher level of output for unit of labour input (hours worked or persons employed). This can be achieved if more capital is used in production or through improved overall efficiency with which labour and capital are used together, i.e., higher multifactor productivity growth (MFP). Productivity is also a key driver of international competitiveness, e.g. as measured by Unit Labour Costs (ULC).
Source Source Contact person/organisation Contact person/organisationproductivity.contact@oecd.org
Recent and longer term trends in productivity and competitiveness in OECD and selected non-OECD countries can be found in the OECD Compendium of Productivity Indicators.
The most recent edition of the Compendium, as well as information on the methodologies used in the OECD Productivity Database, are available on the OECD productivity internet page:
Data source(s) used Data source(s) usedThe estimates of labour productivity, capital services, MFP, and ULC are mainly based on GDP, labour compensation, population and employment data from the OECD National Accounts. Hours worked are sourced from the OECD National Accounts, the OECD Employment Outlook and national sources. Capital services estimates are based on OECD National Accounts as well as national data sources.
Data Characteristics Data Characteristics Date last updated Date last updatedLast updated: December 2022.
The OECD Productivity Database aims at providing users with the most comprehensive and the latest productivity estimates. The update cycle is on a rolling basis, i.e. each variable in the dataset is made publicly available as soon as it is updated in the sources databases. However, some time lag may arise which affects individual series and/or countries for two reasons: first, hours worked data from the OECD Employment Outlook are typically updated less frequently than the OECD Annual National Accounts Database; second, source data for capital services are typically available in annual national accounts later than source data for labour productivity and ULCs.
Other data characteristics Other data characteristicsNote to users:
The OECD Productivity Database accounts for the methodological changes in national accounts' statistics, such as the implementation of the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA) and the implementation of the international industrial classification ISIC Rev.4. These changes had an impact on output, labour and capital measurement. For Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Turkey and the Russian Federation the indicators are in line with the System of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA); for all other countries, the indicators presented are based on the 2008 SNA. Further details on the implementation of the 2008 SNA are available at the following link.
Population & Scope Population & Scope Geographic coverage Geographic coverage* OECD 38 countries;
* BRIICS, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Peru;
* Geographical / economic zones.
Sector coverage Sector coverageTotal economy.
Concepts & Classifications Concepts & Classifications Key statistical concept Key statistical conceptFor further methodological information, please consult:
Productivity is a key driver of economic growth and changes in living standards. Labour productivity growth implies a higher level of output for unit of labour input (hours worked or persons employed). This can be achieved if more capital is used in production or through improved overall efficiency with which labour and capital are used together, i.e., higher multifactor productivity growth (MFP). Productivity is also a key driver of international competitiveness, e.g. as measured by Unit Labour Costs (ULC).
productivity.contact@oecd.org
Recent and longer term trends in productivity and competitiveness in OECD and selected non-OECD countries can be found in the OECD Compendium of Productivity Indicators.
The most recent edition of the Compendium, as well as information on the methodologies used in the OECD Productivity Database, are available on the OECD productivity internet page:
The estimates of labour productivity, capital services, MFP, and ULC are mainly based on GDP, labour compensation, population and employment data from the OECD National Accounts. Hours worked are sourced from the OECD National Accounts, the OECD Employment Outlook and national sources. Capital services estimates are based on OECD National Accounts as well as national data sources.
Last updated: December 2022.
The OECD Productivity Database aims at providing users with the most comprehensive and the latest productivity estimates. The update cycle is on a rolling basis, i.e. each variable in the dataset is made publicly available as soon as it is updated in the sources databases. However, some time lag may arise which affects individual series and/or countries for two reasons: first, hours worked data from the OECD Employment Outlook are typically updated less frequently than the OECD Annual National Accounts Database; second, source data for capital services are typically available in annual national accounts later than source data for labour productivity and ULCs.
Note to users:
The OECD Productivity Database accounts for the methodological changes in national accounts' statistics, such as the implementation of the System of National Accounts 2008 (2008 SNA) and the implementation of the international industrial classification ISIC Rev.4. These changes had an impact on output, labour and capital measurement. For Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Turkey and the Russian Federation the indicators are in line with the System of National Accounts 1993 (1993 SNA); for all other countries, the indicators presented are based on the 2008 SNA. Further details on the implementation of the 2008 SNA are available at the following link.
* OECD 38 countries;
* BRIICS, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Peru;
* Geographical / economic zones.
Total economy.
For further methodological information, please consult: