Productivity Measurement

productivity measurementIn line with its organizational mission, since 2007 the APO has conducted productivity measurement projects that provide a comparative analysis of the productivity and economic growth of APO member economies. The results of these projects support the Secretariat in planning need-based programs and assist member governments in formulating appropriate economic policies and strategies. These productivity measurement projects, implemented under a research partnership with Keio Economic Observatory of Keio University, Tokyo, are:

Click here to go to Asian Quarterly Growth Map

In these projects, the APO undertakes three basic activities: first, developing a comparable database based on internationally harmonized methodology; second, assessing and adjusting data quality; and third, improving individual country data. APO productivity measurement projects aim to "invest" in improving the data quality of its member economies. A critical research activity is collecting the metadata or "descriptive statistical information about the elements of a set of data" (Encarta Dictionary) of each member economy. This is very important in assessing data availability and quality. The assessment identifies differences in definitions, coverage, and methodology of country data, which are then adjusted to achieve a harmonized APO productivity database. Metadata assessment also allows the APO to identify areas for potential improvement in each country’s data system.

The APO Survey Initiative is a complementary research activity for conducting a survey or an equivalent activity intended to assist APO members in completing missing data in their national accounts. It is a step toward the construction of a comparable productivity database of APO members.

In addition to the APO Productivity Database and APO Productivity Databook, the APO also produces related research papers and special articles by experts in the field of productivity measurement and undertakes capacity-building activities for NPOs.

APO Productivity Database

APO Productivity Database (xlsx)

The Economy-wide and Industry Database offers both GDP data by industry and economy-wide input and output data with detailed disaggregation. This comprehensive dataset is one of the key elements of the APO Productivity Database 2012. [Updated 1 August 2012]

Asian Quarterly Growth Map (AQGM)

The Asian Quarterly Growth Map (AQGM) is an integral part of the APO Productivity Database, which provides useful information on quarterly economic growth in APO members in comparison with other countries in Asia and beyond. The information reflects growth opportunities in the constantly changing global economic context. The map is based on the APO Quarterly Database.

APO Productivity Databook Aggregate Data (xlsx)

The Main Aggregate Database provides principal economic indicators for productivity analysis, including GDP growth, investment, exports/imports, population, and employment figures. These were published in the APO Productivity Databook 2011. [Updated 29 September 2011]

APO Productivity Databook

New Edition of the APO Productivity Databook Series (PDF 11MB)

(Published in July 2012)
©APO 2012, ISBN: 978-92-833-2433-1

APO Productivity Databook 2012The APO Productivity Databook 2012 provides a long-term view of comparable data on the economic growth and productivity levels of Asian economies in relation to global and regional economies, 1970–2010. Baseline indicators are calculated for 29 Asian economies, representing the 20 APO member economies and nine nonmembers in Asia. The USA, EU, and Australia are also included. The total factor productivity (TFP) was computed for 14 APO economies, with PR China and the USA as references. The biggest change in the 2012 databook is new TFP computations for India and IR Iran. Another new feature is the inclusion of data up to 2010, in response to readers’ requests for the latest data.

Click here for older editions of the databook …

Metadata Survey

[Updated: March 2009]
Co-Authors: Professor Koji Nomura, Ms. Eunice Y.M. Lau, and Mr. Hideyuki Mizobuchi

Research Papers and Special Articles on productivity measurement

Presented by Professor Loretta Fung at the APO-KEO Special Lecture held on 5 October 2009.

Presented by Professor Alice Nakamura at the APO-KEO Special Lecture held on 5 October 2009.

Presented by Professor Dale W. Jorgenson at the APO-KEO Special Lecture held on 15 January 2009.

Presented by Professor Erwin Diewert at the APO-KEO Special Lecture held on 22 October 2007.

Articles on productivity measurement

News Articles

Reading productivity and economic trends

These are short columns on specific topics closely related to the analyses contained in the APO Productivity Databook 2008 that were featured in APO News 2008 issues. The columns are presented in a bite-sized, reader-friendly format, focusing on pertinent topics and expanding on their implications for PM. Dr. Koji Nomura, Associate Professor, Keio Economic Observatory, Keio University, contributed the article, in collaboration with Ms. Eunice Y.M. Lau, co-author of the APO Productivity Databook.

Capacity Building in productivity measurement for APO Members

The Research and Planning Department undertakes survey initiatives, missions, and other forms of assistance for members to build their capacity in the area of productivity measurement and economic statistics. These efforts are in line with the APO's mission to serve as a think tank and regional adviser for its members.

APO Survey Initiative

Surveys are conducted by the APO Secretariat to assist APO members in improving their official statistical data and to build up their capacity for productivity measurement. These can take various forms ranging from a joint statistical survey with a member to an assistance mission to an individual member upon request. To date, missions have been sent by the APO to Mongolia and Fiji. An ongoing survey initiative is the National Wealth Survey of Mongolia. This is being conducted in collaboration with the National Statistical Office of Mongolia. This will be the first survey to observe capital stock in Mongolia directly and ultimately will be the basis for the development of the balance-sheet account in Mongolia.

Click here for news on the Mongolia initiatives.

APO TFP Missions to Member Countries

Among APO members, there are distinct differences in the system of national accounts and the definition and coverage of economic indicators that are crucial for productivity measurement. A challenging task in productivity measurement is considering these differences and devising a harmonized methodology for computing indicators like single factor productivity (e.g., labor productivity) or multifactor productivity /total factor productivity (TFP). In line with the aim of assisting APO members in taking the necessary steps for computing their TFP using internationally standardized methodology, the APO dispatches missions to its members when requested.

Click here for news on these TFP Missions.

Useful Links to References on productivity measurement