can increases in the number of hours worked per week cause big increases in growth of real GDP per capita?

Question

economic question about long-term growth

Answer 1

The third answer (from is wrong.

The logical, mathematical answer is that if productivity per hour and size of population both remain unchanged the initial effect of, for example, a 10% increase in hours worked will be a 10% increase in the earned income component of GDP. There are then the multiplier effets so the long-run gain in GDP per cap will be more than the initial gain.

The question hints at the differnce between the standard of living and the quality of life. In the US, the average working week has increased in recent years and in Germany it has declined because Germans are taking longer holidays. They get I think it's 6 weeks paid leave a year. cp typically 2 in the States. So the Germans are gaining in enjoyment of life in a way that does not show up on their GDP data.

Answer 2

There's no such thing as GDP per capita. GDP (gross domestic product) is a collective term, per capita is a singular term. They are not compatible. Sorry.

Answer 3

I've always been in favor of longer workdays with more time off. A friend of mine used to work for Hitachi in their wafer fab clean room. He had a unique schedule of 4 days on, 4 days off, 3 days on,3 days off. With 12 hour workdays.
One week is 48 hours, the next is 38. You still get your full hours in and also get more time off. We could learn alot from Japanese workforce principles.

Answer 4

GDP isnt relative to earnings. If we spend the additional monies then there is your impact.