Chapter 20: Problem 15

How is GDP per capital calculated differently from labor productivity?

Short Answer

Expert verified

GDP per capita is calculated by dividing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the total population of a country, representing the average economic output per person. On the other hand, labor productivity is determined by dividing GDP by the total number of hours worked in the country, focusing on the efficiency of the workforce in producing goods and services. The primary differences between these calculations are the factors they consider: GDP per capita is influenced by population size, while labor productivity depends on the total hours worked by employees. Moreover, GDP per capita is used for comparing countries' economic performance, whereas labor productivity is utilized to analyze and improve workforce efficiency within a nation.

Step by step solution

Define GDP per capita

GDP per capita is the measure of a country's economic output per person. It is calculated by dividing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the total population of the country.

Provide the formula for GDP per capita

To calculate GDP per capita, use the following formula: GDP per capita = \(\frac{GDP}{Population}\) Where: - GDP is the Gross Domestic Product - Population is the total population of the country

Define labor productivity

Labor productivity is a measure of the amount of goods and services produced by one hour of labor. It is used to determine the efficiency of the workforce in producing economic output. In simpler terms, it gives an idea of how much output is achieved with one hour of work from an employee.

Provide the formula for labor productivity

To calculate labor productivity, use the following formula: Labor productivity = \(\frac{GDP}{Total hours worked}\) Where: - GDP is the Gross Domestic Product - Total hours worked is the total number of hours that all employees in the country worked during a specific period.

Explain the differences between GDP per capita and labor productivity calculations

1. GDP per capita focuses on the economic output per person, while labor productivity focuses on output per hour of work. 2. GDP per capita is influenced by population size, while labor productivity considers the total hours worked by employees. 3. GDP per capita gives an idea of the standard of living in a country, as it shows the average economic output for each person. In contrast, labor productivity depicts the efficiency of the workforce in producing goods and services. 4. GDP per capita is used to make comparisons between countries in terms of their economic performance, while labor productivity is used to analyze the efficiency of a country's labor force and to find ways to improve it.