Measuring Productivity Growth in U.S. Regions: A Survey

Abstract

This article surveys empirical evidence from U.S. regions concerning measurement of productivity levels and patterns of change in those levels over time. Literature reviewed includes both econometric studies and more recent work that has heavily emphasized sources-of-growth accounting. Key articles are discussed and evaluated in detail, particularly from a methodological perspective. Further research topics are suggested. They focus on the changing role over time in the relation between agglomeration economies and urban productivity, on whether regional productivity levels are converging over time, and on the reconciliation of divergent regional estimates of total factor productivity to account, for example, for industry mix effects.