DP5982 Measuring Competitiveness

Author(s): J. Peter Neary

Publication Date: December 2006

Keyword(s): competitiveness , economic theory of index numbers , European Monetary Union (EMU) , real effective exchange rates (REERs)

JEL(s): C43 , F40

Programme Areas: International Macroeconomics , International Trade and Regional Economics

Link to this Page: www.cepr.org/pubs/dps/DP5982.asp.asp

This paper reviews alternative approaches to measuring an economy's cost competitiveness and proposes some new measures inspired by the economic theory of index numbers. The indices provide a theoretical benchmark for estimated real effective exchange rates, but differ from standard measures in that they are based on marginal rather than average sectoral shares in GDP or employment. The use of the new indices is illustrated by some simple calculations which highlight the potential exposure of the Irish economy to fluctuations in the euro-sterling exchange rate.