Multi‐factor productivity: estimates for 1970 to 2009

Summary This article presents multi–factor productivity (MFP) estimates using experimental measures of quality adjusted labour inputs and capital services. Using a growth accounting framework, output growth can be split into the relative contributions of labour and capital inputs, and a residual component called MFP. MFP is also described in the literature as ‘disembodied technical change’, the ‘Solow residual’ or total factor productivity. This approach complements traditional measures of productivity, which focus only on one input – labour – and take account only of the volume of labour and not changes in the composition of labour over time. The most recent data highlights how MFP has declined during the recession at both the whole economy and industry level. The article also backcasts the series to 1970 using the EU KLEMS dataset to create a longer run picture of MFP.