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Growth Accounting

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The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics

Abstract

Growth accounting consists of a set of calculations resulting in a measure of output growth, a measure of input growth, and their difference, most commonly referred to as total factor productivity (TFP) growth. It can be performed at the level of the plant, firm, industry, or aggregate economy. This article discusses the theoretical interpretation of the growth-accounting exercise, problems of measurement, and main empirical results. It concludes with a (very selective) history of the field.

This chapter was originally published in The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics, 2nd edition, 2008. Edited by Steven N. Durlauf and Lawrence E. Blume

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Caselli, F. (2008). Growth Accounting. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_885-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_885-2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-95121-5

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Growth Accounting
    Published:
    27 March 2017

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_885-2

  2. Original

    Growth Accounting
    Published:
    27 November 2016

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95121-5_885-1