>Of Jim Elwell >http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html >>GDP per person >>$58,900 Luxembourg >>$40,100 USA >>$40,000 Norway >>$26,900 EU >>$29,600 UK > >Very interesting. What the heck is going on in little Luxembourg >that they manage 50% higher productivity per person than the >next-best countries?
I think the figures quoted by the CIA are 'productivity per resident'. However, if we are discussing the economic benefits of 'workers', we need different data. I suspect that on such a measure, Luxembourg would not be so high. Cross border work is common in small open countries. Many people work in one country and claim residence in another. This has been a particular feature of Luxembourg for a long time. Even before the second world war, Luxembourg made its laws attractive as an international centre. Just looking at residents, Luxembourg has the highest proportion of foreigners of any EU country. Cross border work is increasing throughout Europe (EU and non-EU) as a matter of modern economic policy.
