Labor Productivity Output 2004
Labor productivity output measures economic efficiency by calculating GDP per hour worked in each country.
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Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Norway | 101.532 USD | |
2 | Sweden | 67.766 USD | |
3 | Ireland | 67.148 USD | |
4 | Netherlands | 67.085 USD | |
5 | Belgium | 65.927 USD | |
6 | United States | 65.511 USD | |
7 | Luxembourg | 65.199 USD | |
8 | Germany | 63.895 USD | |
9 | United Kingdom | 63.706 USD | |
10 | Denmark | 61.873 USD | |
11 | France | 61.278 USD | |
12 | Finland | 58.537 USD | |
13 | Austria | 58.225 USD | |
14 | Australia | 57.611 USD | |
15 | Switzerland | 56.729 USD | |
16 | China, Hong Kong SAR | 55.249 USD | |
17 | Canada | 54.89 USD | |
18 | Iceland | 54.002 USD | |
19 | Italy | 52.287 USD | |
20 | Japan | 48.133 USD | |
21 | Taiwan | 46.987 USD | |
22 | Spain | 44.748 USD | |
23 | Israel | 42.976 USD | |
24 | New Zealand | 39.089 USD | |
25 | Singapore | 38.006 USD | |
26 | Greece | 37.684 USD | |
27 | Cyprus | 37.194 USD | |
28 | Slovenia | 36.24 USD | |
29 | Czech Republic | 33.495 USD | |
30 | Trinidad and Tobago | 33.005 USD | |
31 | Malta | 32.917 USD | |
32 | South Korea | 30.689 USD | |
33 | Slovakia | 30.051 USD | |
34 | Portugal | 29.922 USD | |
35 | Hungary | 29.355 USD | |
36 | Croatia | 27.774 USD | |
37 | Poland | 27.474 USD | |
38 | Mexico | 26.048 USD | |
39 | Turkey | 25.66 USD | |
40 | Lithuania | 24.646 USD | |
41 | Estonia | 23.448 USD | |
42 | Argentina | 21.546 USD | |
43 | Latvia | 21.492 USD | |
44 | Bulgaria | 19.961 USD | |
45 | South Africa | 19.89 USD | |
46 | Uruguay | 18.56 USD | |
47 | Malaysia | 18.223 USD | |
48 | Chile | 17.479 USD | |
49 | Romania | 15.03 USD | |
50 | Venezuela | 14.24 USD | |
51 | Russia | 14.071 USD | |
52 | Costa Rica | 13.564 USD | |
53 | Dominican Republic | 12.229 USD | |
54 | Brazil | 12.043 USD | |
55 | Ecuador | 10.053 USD | |
56 | Colombia | 9.931 USD | |
57 | Jamaica | 9.436 USD | |
58 | Thailand | 8.185 USD | |
59 | Sri Lanka | 7.725 USD | |
60 | Peru | 7.354 USD | |
61 | Pakistan | 6.425 USD | |
62 | Philippines | 6.394 USD | |
63 | Indonesia | 5.168 USD | |
64 | China | 4.852 USD | |
65 | Vietnam | 3.107 USD | |
66 | India | 2.964 USD | |
67 | Bangladesh | 2.375 USD | |
68 | Cambodia | 1.736 USD | |
69 | Myanmar | 1.614 USD |
- #1
Norway
- #2
Sweden
- #3
Ireland
- #4
Netherlands
- #5
Belgium
- #6
United States
- #7
Luxembourg
- #8
Germany
- #9
United Kingdom
- #10
Denmark
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #69
Myanmar
- #68
Cambodia
- #67
Bangladesh
- #66
India
- #65
Vietnam
- #64
China
- #63
Indonesia
- #62
Philippines
- #61
Pakistan
- #60
Peru
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Insights by country
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 SourceCite 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.
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