Income Differences, Productivity, and Input-Output Networks

Abstract

We study the importance of input-output (IO) linkages and sectoral productivity (TFP) in determining cross-country income differences. We find that while highly connected sectors are more productive than the typical sector in poor countries, the opposite is true in rich ones. To assess the quantitative role of linkages and sectoral TFP differences in cross-country income differences, we decompose cross-country income variation using a multisector general equilibrium model. We find that IO linkages substantially amplify fundamental sectoral TFP variation, but this amplification is significantly weaker than the one suggested by a simple IO model with an aggregate intermediate good. (JEL D57, E16, E23, O11, O47)