Labor Productivity Output 2004

Labor productivity output measures economic efficiency by calculating GDP per hour worked in each country.

69 data points••Global Coverage•Productivity: output per hour worked | Feenstra et al. – Penn World Table via Our World in Data•

Newer data is available: Labor Productivity Output by country 2023 →

Highest
Norway
101.53 USD
Lowest
Myanmar
1.61 USD
Median country
29.36 USD
Countries with data
69

Where does your country rank? Pick it to see its position.

Related Economy statistics

More ↓

Interactive Map

Loading interactive map...

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
Actions
1
Norway flag
Norway
101.532 USD
2
Sweden flag
Sweden
67.766 USD
3
Ireland flag
Ireland
67.148 USD
4
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
67.085 USD
5
Belgium flag
Belgium
65.927 USD
6
United States flag
United States
65.511 USD
7
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
65.199 USD
8
Germany flag
Germany
63.895 USD
9
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
63.706 USD
10
Denmark flag
Denmark
61.873 USD
11
France flag
France
61.278 USD
12
Finland flag
Finland
58.537 USD
13
Austria flag
Austria
58.225 USD
14
Australia flag
Australia
57.611 USD
15
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
56.729 USD
16
China, Hong Kong SAR flag
China, Hong Kong SAR
55.249 USD
17
Canada flag
Canada
54.89 USD
18
Iceland flag
Iceland
54.002 USD
19
Italy flag
Italy
52.287 USD
20
Japan flag
Japan
48.133 USD
21
Taiwan flag
Taiwan
46.987 USD
22
Spain flag
Spain
44.748 USD
23
Israel flag
Israel
42.976 USD
24
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
39.089 USD
25
Singapore flag
Singapore
38.006 USD
26
Greece flag
Greece
37.684 USD
27
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
37.194 USD
28
Slovenia flag
Slovenia
36.24 USD
29
Czech Republic flag
Czech Republic
33.495 USD
30
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
33.005 USD
31
Malta flag
Malta
32.917 USD
32
South Korea flag
South Korea
30.689 USD
33
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
30.051 USD
34
Portugal flag
Portugal
29.922 USD
35
Hungary flag
Hungary
29.355 USD
36
Croatia flag
Croatia
27.774 USD
37
Poland flag
Poland
27.474 USD
38
Mexico flag
Mexico
26.048 USD
39
Turkey flag
Turkey
25.66 USD
40
Lithuania flag
Lithuania
24.646 USD
41
Estonia flag
Estonia
23.448 USD
42
Argentina flag
Argentina
21.546 USD
43
Latvia flag
Latvia
21.492 USD
44
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
19.961 USD
45
South Africa flag
South Africa
19.89 USD
46
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
18.56 USD
47
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
18.223 USD
48
Chile flag
Chile
17.479 USD
49
Romania flag
Romania
15.03 USD
50
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
14.24 USD
51
Russia flag
Russia
14.071 USD
52
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
13.564 USD
53
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
12.229 USD
54
Brazil flag
Brazil
12.043 USD
55
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
10.053 USD
56
Colombia flag
Colombia
9.931 USD
57
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
9.436 USD
58
Thailand flag
Thailand
8.185 USD
59
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
7.725 USD
60
Peru flag
Peru
7.354 USD
61
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
6.425 USD
62
Philippines flag
Philippines
6.394 USD
63
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
5.168 USD
64
China flag
China
4.852 USD
65
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
3.107 USD
66
India flag
India
2.964 USD
67
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
2.375 USD
68
Cambodia flag
Cambodia
1.736 USD
69
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
1.614 USD

↑Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Norway flagNorway
  2. #2Sweden flagSweden
  3. #3Ireland flagIreland
  4. #4Netherlands flagNetherlands
  5. #5Belgium flagBelgium
  6. #6United States flagUnited States
  7. #7Luxembourg flagLuxembourg
  8. #8Germany flagGermany
  9. #9United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom
  10. #10Denmark flagDenmark

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #69Myanmar flagMyanmar
  2. #68Cambodia flagCambodia
  3. #67Bangladesh flagBangladesh
  4. #66India flagIndia
  5. #65Vietnam flagVietnam
  6. #64China flagChina
  7. #63Indonesia flagIndonesia
  8. #62Philippines flagPhilippines
  9. #61Pakistan flagPakistan
  10. #60Peru flagPeru

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Insights by country

1

Cambodia

Cambodia ranked #68 globally in 2004 for Labor Productivity Output, with a value of 1.7363517 USD. This figure places Cambodia just above the bottom-ranked country, indicating significant challenges in productivity compared to its regional peers. Contributing factors include a largely agrarian economy, limited industrialization, and ongoing recovery from decades of conflict, which have hindered workforce efficiency and investment in technology.

2

United Kingdom

In 2004, the United Kingdom achieved a global rank of #9 with a Labor Productivity Output of 63.706306 USD. This figure places the UK above many of its European neighbors, reflecting a strong economic performance relative to the regional average. Key drivers of this productivity include a diverse economy, significant investments in technology, and a well-educated workforce, which have all contributed to its competitive edge in various industries.

3

India

In 2004, India ranked #66 globally with a Labor Productivity Output of 2.9644926 USD. This figure places India near the bottom of the rankings, significantly lower than many neighboring countries and the global average. Key drivers of this low productivity include a large informal labor sector, limited access to advanced technology, and ongoing challenges in education and skill development.

4

Sri Lanka

In 2004, Sri Lanka's Labor Productivity Output was 7.7254934 USD, ranking #59 out of 69 countries. This figure is notably lower than many of its South Asian neighbors, reflecting challenges in industrial growth and workforce efficiency. Key drivers include a reliance on agriculture and a lack of investment in technology and infrastructure, which hindered productivity improvements during this period.

5

Argentina

In 2004, Argentina ranked #42 globally with a Labor Productivity Output of 21.545889 USD. This figure is notably lower than the top-ranked country, Luxembourg, which showcases the disparity in productivity levels across nations. Contributing factors to Argentina's productivity include a historically volatile economy, challenges in industrial competitiveness, and a reliance on agricultural exports, which can limit diversification and innovation in other sectors.

6

Denmark

In 2004, Denmark achieved a global rank of #10 with a Labor Productivity Output of 61.873425 USD. This figure places Denmark above many of its European neighbors, reflecting a robust economic environment. The country's high productivity can be attributed to its advanced technology adoption, a skilled workforce, and strong labor market policies that encourage innovation and efficiency.

7

Germany

In 2004, Germany achieved a labor productivity output of 63.894978 USD, ranking #8 out of 69 countries. This figure is notable as it reflects Germany's robust industrial base, which is among the highest in Europe, contributing significantly to its economic strength. Key drivers of this productivity include advanced manufacturing technologies, a highly skilled workforce, and strong export-oriented policies that enhance efficiency and innovation.

8

China, Hong Kong SAR

In 2004, China, Hong Kong SAR achieved a global rank of #16 with a Labor Productivity Output of 55.249252 USD. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the region's robust economic environment and advanced service sector. Factors such as a highly skilled workforce, significant foreign investment, and a strategic position as a global trade hub have contributed to this impressive productivity level.

9

Costa Rica

In 2004, Costa Rica achieved a Labor Productivity Output of 13.563847 USD, ranking #52 out of 69 countries. This figure is notably lower than the leading country in this metric, which indicates room for improvement in efficiency compared to global standards. Key drivers of Costa Rica's productivity levels include its emphasis on education and a growing technology sector, which have fostered a skilled workforce despite challenges in infrastructure and investment.

10

Bangladesh

In 2004, Bangladesh ranked #67 globally with a Labor Productivity Output of 2.3747008 USD. This figure positions Bangladesh near the bottom of the global scale, significantly lower than many neighboring countries, reflecting challenges in economic development. Key factors contributing to this low productivity include a largely agrarian economy, limited access to advanced technology, and a workforce that often lacks higher education and skills training.

Analysis & Context

In 2004, Norway led the world in Labor Productivity Output with a value of USD 101.53, while the global range spanned from USD 1.61 to USD 101.53. The average Labor Productivity Output across the 69 countries with available data was USD 32.60, providing a benchmark for economic efficiency worldwide.

Economic Structures and High Labor Productivity Output

The leading countries in Labor Productivity Output, such as Norway (USD 101.53), Sweden (USD 67.77), and Ireland (USD 67.15), share several economic characteristics that contribute to their high productivity figures. These nations have advanced economies with strong sectors in technology, finance, and services that demand high skill levels and efficiency. For instance, Norway's wealth from the oil sector, coupled with its investment in education and technology, drives its productivity. Similarly, Ireland's favorable corporate tax policies have attracted multinational corporations, boosting productivity through technology transfer and innovation.

Challenges and Low Labor Productivity Output

At the opposite end of the spectrum, countries like Myanmar (USD 1.61), Cambodia (USD 1.74), and Bangladesh (USD 2.37) face significant challenges in increasing their Labor Productivity Output. These nations often have large agricultural sectors with low mechanization and efficiency levels. Moreover, limited access to education and infrastructure further constrains productivity. For example, Myanmar's economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, a sector that typically sees lower productivity due to labor-intensive practices and limited technological advancement.

Impact of Policy and Innovation

Several countries have demonstrated significant changes in Labor Productivity Output due to policy shifts and innovation. China saw an increase of USD 5.57 (11.2%), driven by rapid industrialization and economic reforms that have opened up markets and increased efficiency. Likewise, Singapore experienced a rise of USD 5.36 (16.4%), reflecting its continuous investment in technology and infrastructure, as well as its position as a global business hub.

Year-over-Year Trends and Economic Dynamics

Analyzing the year-over-year trends, Norway marked a significant increase of USD 4.84 (5.0%), highlighting its robust economic policies and resource management. In contrast, Luxembourg experienced a decrease of USD 3.09 (-4.5%), which may result from fluctuating financial markets impacting its service-dominated economy. Other noteworthy changes include Iceland's gain of USD 3.07 (6.0%), likely due to its diversified economic initiatives, and New Zealand's decline of USD 1.48 (-3.6%), possibly influenced by shifts in its agricultural exports.

In conclusion, the Labor Productivity Output in 2004 reveals much about the economic efficiencies and challenges faced by countries worldwide. High productivity often correlates with advanced economies and strategic policy implementations, while lower productivity highlights areas needing improvement in infrastructure and education. The dynamic changes observed in various countries underscore the importance of economic reform and innovation in driving productivity growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Labor Productivity Output in 2004

Which country had the highest labor productivity output in 2004?

Norway had the highest labor productivity output in 2004, with 102 USD per hour worked.

What was the average labor productivity output across all countries in 2004?

The average labor productivity output across all 69 countries in 2004 was 32.6 USD per hour worked.

Which country had the lowest labor productivity output in 2004?

Myanmar had the lowest labor productivity output in 2004, with 1.61 USD per hour worked.

What was the median labor productivity output in 2004?

The median labor productivity output in 2004 was 29.36 USD per hour worked.

Which countries were in the top 3 for labor productivity output in 2004?

The top 3 countries for labor productivity output in 2004 were Norway (102 USD), Sweden (67.77 USD), and Ireland (67.15 USD).

What was the range of labor productivity output in 2004?

The range of labor productivity output in 2004 was from 1.61 USD in Myanmar to 102 USD in Norway.

Data Source

Productivity: output per hour worked | Feenstra et al. – Penn World Table via Our World in Data

Data produced by Feenstra et al. – Penn World Table, compiled and published by Our World in Data as "Productivity: output per hour worked".

Visit Data Source

Cite this page

Geo Factbook. (n.d.). Labor Productivity Output by Country, 2004. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://geofactbook.com/fact/labor-productivity-output/2004

The figures on this page come from Productivity: output per hour worked | Feenstra et al. – Penn World Table via Our World in Data. For academic work, cite the original source as well.

›Embed this ranking on your site

Free to embed with attribution. Shows the top 10 countries and links back to the full ranking.

Preview

Historical Data by Year

Explore Labor Productivity Output data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.