Productivity Measurement

In 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 are implemented under a research partnership with Keio Economic Observatory of Keio University, Tokyo.

Online APO Productivity Database

Asian Economy and Productivity Map (AEPM)

The Asian Economic Productivity Map (AEPM) is an online tool that provides a comprehensive view of productivity and other economic data of 30 Asian countries and benchmarks from multiple economic groups across the world including ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Asia, EU 15, and USA.

The AEPM provides a graphic dashboard view of productivity and economic trends, and the data are presented as both by per-worker labor productivity and per-hour labor productivity, in addition to total factor productivity growth rates. Labor productivity growth has been computed for key sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, transportation, and communication. Data on other economic parameters including output, capital, demand, income, population, and prices are also available as one-point references on the AEPM.

Click here to go to Asian Economy and Productivity Map

APO Productivity Database 2017 Version 1(Index) (xlsx) [Updated 22 September 2017]
APO Productivity Database 2017 Version 1 (xlsx) [Updated 22 September 2017]

The 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 2017.

Online APO Productivity Databook

APO Productivity Databook 2017 (PDF18MB)

APO databook 2017
© APO 2017

ISBN: 978-92-833-2478-2 (PDF)

The 2017 APO Productivity Databook builds on the comparative analysis approach covering APO members, reference economies, and economic groupings to give a comprehensive picture of factors affecting productivity gains. New introductions include: total factor productivity estimates for Lao PDR; revisions of economic growth figures from the late 1990s for nonmember Myanmar; and improved labor input analyses, including those of hourly wage differentials among employees, the self-employed, and contributing family workers, which are especially relevant for mid- to long-term economic research and planning.

Click here for older editions of the databook.

APO DATA App

The APO Mobile Productivity Database app for smartphones gives easy access to comprehensive statistics, data, and information on socioeconomic indicators for APO members, along with reference Asian and other economies. Most data are from an APO project in partnership with Keio Economic Observatory of Keio University, although some are from other reliable sources.

The APO Mobile Productivity Database is divided into 10 main indicator categories: Productivity; Output; Labor; Capital; Demand; Income; Population; Prices; Energy; and Enterprises. Time-series tables, charts illustrating data trends, and definitions of variables are included for each.

Android Market
  • Category: Reference
  • Released: April 28, 2015
  • Version: 1.0
  • Size: 3.5 MB
  • Language: English
  • Seller: Asian Productivity Organization (APO)

Download for Android

iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad
  • Category: Reference
  • Released: May 6, 2015
  • Version: 1.0
  • Size: 3.5 MB
  • Language: English
  • Seller: Asian Productivity Organization (APO)

Download for iOS

Metadata Survey

Co-authors: Professor Koji Nomura, Ms. Eunice Y.M. Lau, and Mr. Hideyuki Mizobuchi

Research Papers 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

Dr. Koji Nomura, Associate Professor, Keio Economic Observatory, Keio University, contributed the articles below, in collaboration with Ms. Eunice Y.M. Lau, co-author of the APO Productivity Databook (Parts 1?7):

The power of data, APO News June 2010

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 (2008) and Fiji (2009). 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 below for news on the Mongolian initiative.

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 below for news on these TFP Missions.

Useful Links to References on Productivity Measurement