When average productivity doesn't say much

THE average German worker shows up for 35 hours per week, as does the average Swiss worker. The average Greek worker shows up for 42 hours per week. A US citizen is at work for 38 hours, while Mexicans work 43 hours. Koreans work almost 44 hours a week. Does this mean that Koreans work the hardest? Not necessarily.

The number of hours worked is not a very good economic indicator. The important question is how hard a worker works when at work. A long work day punctuated by regular tea breaks and hours surfing YouTube may not produce much that is of economic value*. A short work day of discipline and focus can produce higher output with fewer hours at the workplace.

How hard one works is what economists call "productivity". Productivity is an attempt to measure the economic value of what a worker does. Productivity will be influenced by the skills of the worker. If you are good at your job, you are likely to do more per hour worked. Productivity will be influenced by the quality of the tools available to the worker. A day spent shouting at a computer helpdesk in a vain attempt to get your laptop to work does not add much economic value. Productivity will also be influenced by the enthusiasm of the worker. A motivated worker will do more than a demoralised worker.