In this paper we add new results to the investigation of productivity levels rather than productivity changes, as proposed by Hall/Jones (1996, 1997, 1999). To obtain measures of relative productivity levels we depart from traditional growth accounting and calculate the Malmquist index of total...

The twin-peaked (bimodal) shape of the distribution of per capita income is an intensively discussed topic in economic growth research. The data show that the world income distribution starts with an unimodal structure in 1960 and evolves subsequently towards a bimodal or twin-peaked structure....