Productivity Comparisons For 2008

Data from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2008 UK GDP/worker was above Japan, similar to Canada and Germany, below that of France, Italy and the US and lower than the average of the G7 excluding the UK. On the basis of GDP/hour worked the UK is above Japan, similar to Canada and Italy but below France, Germany and the US.

The UK experienced faster productivity growth than all other G7 countries since 1991 by the GDP/worker measure. UK GDP/worker had grown by 39% since 1991 compared to the G7 average of 29%. UK GDP/hour worked increased by 49% between 1991 and 2007, the fastest growth of any G7 country for that period. The G7 average excluding the UK was 36%. GDP data for each country are coverted using purchasing power parities to make them comparable.