Australia’s productivity gap widens compares to the U.S.

Australia’s ongoing efforts to enhance productivity growth have yielded significant reforms, yet its GDP per capita lags behind that of the United States.

A recent analysis delves into the fundamental disparities between the two nations’ productivity levels, shedding light on potential explanations for this gap.

The examination, conducted by the Australian Government Treasury, underscores the critical role of productivity in shaping GDP per capita differentials.

Despite comparable hours worked per capita between Australia and the US over the past four decades, Australia’s GDP per hour worked has consistently remained at 75-85% of its US counterpart.

Income gap

This disparity underscores the significance of productivity in explaining the Australia-US income gap.

For instance, if Australian labor productivity matched US levels in 2002, Australia’s GDP per capita could have been $7,900 higher.

Consequently, closing the productivity gap holds promise for future GDP per capita gains and could propel Australia closer to the global productivity frontier represented by the US.

The analysis examines three primary explanations for the productivity gap: variances in human capital, differences in product and labor market policies, and disparities in geographic and historical contexts.

While human capital disparities, particularly in educational attainment, contribute to the gap, differences in physical capital per hour worked appear less significant.

FILE PHOTO: Tourists walk around the forecourt of Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

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Geography and history

While policy reforms could narrow the productivity gap by up to one-sixth, factors such as geography and history may impede Australia’s ability to fully close the gap.

These findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of the Australia-US productivity gap and the importance of targeted policy measures to bridge it.

However, the analysis acknowledges substantial challenges in measuring productivity, citing statistical and methodological issues inherent in international comparisons.

Issues such as varying industry measurement methodologies and exchange rate fluctuations complicate accurate assessments of productivity differentials.

The exploration of Australia-US productivity disparities underscores the complexities of economic analysis and the importance of nuanced approaches to policy formulation.