Japan's labor productivity in 2003 was the lowest among the Group of Seven advanced economies for the 10th year in a row, according to results of a survey released by a think tank Wednesday.
In terms of output per unit of labor, Japan ranked 19th out of the 30 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Paris-based club of wealthy nations, the same rank it held in 2002, according to the Japan Productivity Center for Socioeconomic Development.
Labor productivity is calculated by dividing gross domestic product by the total number of workers. Luxembourg topped the list, with the United States coming second.
From 1995 to 2003, China saw marked growth in its labor productivity, with an average gain of 7.1 percent per year, jumping to third place out of 72 countries surveyed worldwide.
In terms of productivity growth among the G7, the United States registered the highest annual rate, at 2.1 percent, followed by Japan at 1.5 percent. The G7 also includes Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Canada.