On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 05:01:16 +0000, Omphalos wrote:

> For years I always read about how much harder Japanese worked than other
> countries. Apparently the tide has turned, according to an International
> Labor Organization report, Americans work more hours now than any country
> in the world. 
> 
> Hours worked per year:
> 
> US   1,979
> Japan  1,842
> UK  1,719
> Germany 1,480
> 
> 
> Productivity per worker (in US $):
> 
> US  $54,870
> Belgium $53,370
> Canada $44,870
> Japan $40,870
> 
> If you calculate productivity per hour Belgium and France come out on top.
> 
> I think the longer # of hours worked in the US is due to opportunity;
> there has been a lot of work available in the past decade and people take
> advantage of it. I would expect lower productivity per worker in Japan
> since there has always been a lot of overemployment, keeping workers on
> that you don't really need. This raises business costs but lowers social
> costs associated with unemployment.
> 
> All things considered, I think I'd rather live in France and have 6 weeks
> vacation a year.
> 
> Probably all those vacations those unindustrious Europeans get every
> year.


Don't forget that in USA about 60% of the population is employed. In
Europe its between 45 and 52%. Not only are are Americans earning more,
but there are more of them earning more. As well, straight dollar
comparisons are not a good picture. Cost of living in most of North
America is lower than in Europe. Land is cheaper, housing is cheaper, cars
and gasoline is cheaper, food is cheaper. ( At least compared to Germany,
which I am more familiar with. ) Also taxes are lower. So a person earning
$40,000 in US is far better off than someone earning the same in Germany.