Recently released labor productivity data for the year 2000 show that the productivity acceleration in the United States that started around 1995 continued as we began the new century. This report, from two of The Conference Board's most prominent economic researchers, examines accelerating U.S. productivity and the new challenges it provides to advanced economies.

Key findings:

• U.S. productivity growth in 2000 continues to outpace the rest of the world.
• Europe makes progress on employment growth, but productivity decelerates.
• Japan's growth is productivity-driven; employment remains stagnant.
• Most emerging markets among OECD countries show strong productivity gains and improved employment.
• Even though some European countries match the U.S. productivity level, higher overall U.S. labor force participation is important to the U.S. per capita income advantage.

Special features:

• a two-page "executive summary"
• nine detailed tables and graphs