Explaining Anglo-German Productivity Differences in Services Since 1870

Stephen Broadberry

No 4597, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: Germany overtook Britain in comparative productivity levels for the whole economy primarily as a result of trends in services rather than trends in industry. Britain?s productivity lead in services before World War II reflected external economies of scale in a highly urbanised economy with an international orientation. Low productivity in Germany reflected the under-development of services in an economy that was slow to move out of agriculture. As German agricultural employment contracted sharply from the 1950s, catching-up occurred in services. This was aided by a sharp increase in human and physical capital accumulation, underpinned by the institutional framework of the postwar settlement.

Keywords: Productivity; Services; Britain; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: N10 N30 O40 O52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-his
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