Klaas de Vries

Economist
The Conference Board
klaas.devries@conferenceboard.org

Klaas de Vries is an economist with The Conference Board. He closely follows developments in the global economy and researches the structural drivers of global growth and competitiveness relating to productivity and trade. He develops and maintains several large-scale growth and productivity datasets with an international focus, relating to the aggregate economy and underlying industries. These include the Total Economy Database™, the International Comparisons of Manufacturing Productivity and Unit Labor Costs dataset, and the forward looking Global Economic Outlook.

Prior to joining The Conference Board, de Vries worked at the University of Groningen, where he studied economic development and structural growth issues. He has published articles on structural transformation in emerging markets in general and on the dynamics of structural change in Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular. Selected external publications by de Vries include:
- Bart van Ark, Abdul Erumban, and Klaas de Vries, “Productivity and Innovation Competencies in the Midst of the Digital Transformation Age: An EU-US Comparison,” European Commission Discussion Paper No. 119, October 2019.
- Abdul Erumban, Robert Inklaar, and Klaas de Vries, “Global Growth Accounting: The Role of Shifting Investment Patterns,” In Productivity Dynamics in Emerging and Industrialized Countries (New York: Routledge India, 2018), 154-174.
- Bart van Ark, Klaas de Vries, and Kirsten Jäger, “Is Europe’s Productivity Glass Half Full or Half Empty?” Intereconomics 53, no. 2, (March 2018): 53-58.
De Vries holds a master’s degree in history from the University of Groningen and continues his coursework in economics.

Publications by Klaas de Vries

Charts

International Comparisons of Manufacturing Productivity and Unit Labor Costs - Key Findings
17 June, 2015

Economics Program Working Paper Series

How to not miss a productivity revival once again?
18 December, 2020
Global Growth Projections for The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2019
12 December, 2018
Global Growth Projections for The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2018
13 November, 2017
Global Growth Projections for The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2017
16 November, 2016
Wage-Productivity Growth Gap: An Analysis of Industry Data
30 January, 2016
Global Growth Projections for The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2016
09 November, 2015
Global Growth Projections for The Conference Board Global Economic Outlook 2015
12 November, 2014

Economy Watch Reports

Emerging Markets View: Near-term momentum in emerging markets will fall short of mature economies
19 April, 2021
Emerging Markets View: Falling infection rates set the stage for continued recovery
17 March, 2021
Domestic demand will sustain Euro Area growth in 2019
09 January, 2019
Despite slower GDP growth, strengthening wage growth bodes well for consumers
12 September, 2018
The business cycle expansion is strengthening, but weak profit growth persists
09 August, 2017
Euro Area recovery continues but at a more moderate pace
21 March, 2016
Euro Area economic recovery outlook remains on track primarily thanks to the consumer
18 February, 2016
Euro Area outlook remains positive, despite rising concerns about global growth outlook
22 January, 2016
The Conference Board Economics Watch^® European View
18 December, 2015
The Conference Board Economics Watch^® European View
30 November, 2015
The Conference Board Economics Watch^® European View
22 October, 2015
The Conference Board Economics Watch^® European View
27 July, 2015
The Conference Board Economics Watch^Â® European View
29 May, 2015
The Conference Board Economics Watch^Â® European View
24 March, 2015

Key Business Issues

Trading Up: With Global Growth Finally on the Rise, Is the Trade Recovery Sustainable?
16 February, 2018

Periodicals

European Business Leaders Anxious About Recession Risk
05 March, 2019

Publications

Global Productivity Brief 2021
21 April, 2021
Prioritizing Productivity in the Gulf Region: A Path toward Sustained Growth through Smart Diversification
02 December, 2019
Global Economic Outlook 2020: Stagnating Growth amid an Uncertain Outlook
18 November, 2019
Quick Note: Surviving Brexit: What Businesses Need to Know as the Countdown Continues
11 January, 2019
Global Economic Outlook 2019: Europe—Thriving in a Slow-growing Europe
12 November, 2018
Global Economic Outlook 2018: Europe: Preparing for Slower Growth
22 November, 2017
Global Economic Outlook 2017 Europe: A Better Business Environment in Europe—Where and When?
14 November, 2016
Global Economic Outlook 2016: Sub-Saharan Africa: Climbing a Steeper Hill?
19 May, 2016

Research Reports

2021 Europe: Uncertainty lingers in 2021, slow growth returns for the long term
25 November, 2020
Global Economic Outlook 2020: Gulf Region—Stagnating Growth Clouds the Gulf Region's Outlook
26 November, 2019
Going Local: Changing Global Value Chains and the Impact on Revenue and Jobs
14 February, 2019
Global Economic Outlook 2016: The Global Economy in a Holding Pattern
05 November, 2015
International Comparisons of Annual Labor Force Statistics
16 September, 2014

External Publications

G. de Vries, M. Timmer, and K. de Vries, “Structural Transformation in Africa: Static Gains, Dynamic Losses,” Journal of Development Studies, vol. 51 (6) (2015).
M. Timmer, G. de Vries, and K. de Vries, “Patterns of Structural Change in Developing Countries,” in: J. Weiss & M. Tribe (ed.) Routledge Handbook of Industry and Development (2016).

Datasets

R. Gouma, K. de Vries, and A. van der Veen-Mooij, “EUKLEMS Growth and Productivity Accounts, Description of methodology and country notes,” Groningen Growth and Development Center (2011).
K. de Vries, G. de Vries, R. Gouma, and M. Timmer, “Africa Sector Database: Contents, Sources, and Methods,” Groningen Growth and Development Center (2013).
G. de Vries, K. de Vries, R. Gouma, S. Pahl, and M. Timmer, “GGDC 10-Sector Database: Contents, Sources and Methods,” Groningen Growth and Development Center (2015).