Производителност на труда и интеграционни процеси на страните от ЕС, НАФТА И МЕРКОСУР в исторически план
Labour Productivity and Integration Processes in The EU, NAFTA and MERCOSUR Countries in a Historical Perspective

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the level and dynamics of average labour productivity (LP) in the countries associated with three major regional economic blocs: the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), over the period 1951–2019. The relevance of the topic stems from the relationship between labour productivity and key macroeconomic indicators, particularly economic growth and economic well-being. The main objective is to characterize LP at both the aggregate and country levels, compare productivity patterns across the three groups, and identify their most significant similarities and differences. The period under analysis is determined by the availability of empirical data on GDP and employment in the Penn World Table 10.1 database. It begins with the post-World War II recovery, includes major global crises such as those of 1971 – 1974 and 2007 – 2009, covers periods of expansion, and ends immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic. The article discusses the economic significance of labour productivity and reviews key empirical findings on its historical development in Europe compared with the United States. It presents a descriptive analysis of the selected country groups. The results indicate a general increase in LP levels, accompanied by a decline in growth rates. The slowdown in productivity growth over the past three decades raises questions about the role of contemporary technological transformations as a driver of economic growth and has potentially adverse implications for regional economic integration. In comparative terms, the upward trend in LP is more pronounced in the EU and NAFTA, while it remains relatively weak in MERCOSUR. Within the EU, smaller economies tend to record higher growth rates, with Luxembourg standing out in average productivity level. The United States occupies a dominant position within NAFTA. Among the MERCOSUR countries, Argentina records the highest productivity level, whereas Brazil exhibits the highest average growth rate.

• Details
• Contents