Determinants of Labor Productivity in MENA Countries

Abstract

This article scrutinizes the role of various determinants (compensation, human capital, oil rent, trade, financial development, innovation, and industrialization) in labor productivity in the context of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Dynamic-OLS and fully modified-OLS were applied to analyze panel time series data over the period 1980 to 2014. It was found that size of employment and compensation are negatively associated with labor productivity, while human capital and capital stock are positively associated with it; and that oil rent, financial development, trade openness, and industrial value addition play significant roles in promoting labor productivity. Finally, innovation was found to be an important factor in accelerating labor productivity. These findings are important for labor policy making in MENA economies.