In fj.life.in-japan Curt Fischer <crf3@po.cwru.edu> wrote:

>> > 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.
>> 
>> 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.

> I disagree.  Straight monetary comparisons are the best way anyone has
> come up with yet to measure value.  Anyone who tries to discount this is

So, making $95,000/year in, say, Mexico is exactly the same as $95,000/year
in Japan?

> merely incorporating their own biased valuation of land, housing, cars,
> etc. into the picture.

I guess you'll have to count "The Economist" among those incorporating
thier own "biased valuation of land, housing, cars", etc

Mike