Over a 10 year period, labor productivity increased from $10 per labor hour to $10.60 per labor hour. Over the same period, the investment in new capital increased from $25 per labor hour to $25.50 per labor hour. The contribution of technological advancement to economic growth over this period is closest to:
According to the one third rule, at a given level of technology, a 1% increase in capital per labor hour results in a 1/3% increase in real GDP per labor hour. The percent change in capital per labor hour is 2% = (25.50/25) – 1. The increase in productivity due to the increase in capital per labor hour is 1/3 x 2.0% = 0.67%. The change in economic growth (GDP per labor hour) is 6% = (10.6/10) – 1. The remainder of the increase in GDP per labor hour, 6% – 0.67% = 5.33%, is due to technology change. |