The distribution of value-added in France, 1949-2007

Publication by INSEE of very long time series of national accounts makes it possible to have a look on the distribution of value-added and its evolution in France for nearly sixty years. Apart from updating the conclusions, this article studies to which extent conceptual and methodological innovations introduced by successive bases may have an impact on the measurement of the distribution of value-added. It also clarifies the hypotheses made to compare the preceding bases and to publish data in a unique base. A second part is devoted to the economic interpretation of the evolution of the distribution of value-added within non-financial corporations. This is a theoretical study without econometrical estimations. It describes which effects should be taken into account in such estimations and reviews the conclusions of different empirical studies made on the distribution of value-added.