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Economic Report of the President

Report - The American Presidency Project

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sharp decline in output in <strong>the</strong> second quarter, productivity declinedat a rapid 3 percent annual rate. This marked <strong>the</strong> seventh consecutivequarterly drop. With <strong>the</strong> resumption <strong>of</strong> modest economic growthin <strong>the</strong> third quarter, productivity rebounded sharply, rising at a 4percent rate.The faltering productivity during <strong>the</strong> first half <strong>of</strong> 1980, combinedwith a more rapid rise in wages, resulted in an acceleration in unitlabor costs. However, with <strong>the</strong> improvement in productivity in <strong>the</strong>third quarter, <strong>the</strong> increase in unit labor costs moderated substantially.For <strong>the</strong> year ending with <strong>the</strong> third quarter, unit labor costs rose 10percent, a modest improvement from <strong>the</strong> increase recorded during1979.Distribution <strong>of</strong> National IncomeThe recession's impact was evident in <strong>the</strong> shifting distribution <strong>of</strong>national income during 1980 (Table 22). Compensation <strong>of</strong> employees,which had averaged 74.6 percent <strong>of</strong> national income over <strong>the</strong>years 1976-79, rose to 75.3 percent in 1980. This increase in <strong>the</strong>share <strong>of</strong> national income going to wage earners is <strong>the</strong> normal patternin a recession. Employer contributions for social insurance continuedto account for a growing share <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> compensation total. Corporatepr<strong>of</strong>its and proprietors' income as a share <strong>of</strong> national income fellsharply to 14.8 percent in 1980, down from <strong>the</strong> 17.1 percent averageshare during 1976-79. The corporate pr<strong>of</strong>its share fell to 8.6 percent.The unusually high level <strong>of</strong> interest rates was responsible forboosting <strong>the</strong> net interest share <strong>of</strong> national income to 8.5 percent, itshighest level in <strong>the</strong> postwar period. Net farm income fell in 1980from its relatively high level in 1979. After adjusting for changes ininventory, net income from farming was about $24 billion for <strong>the</strong>TABLE 22.—Shares <strong>of</strong> national income, 1976-80[Percent <strong>of</strong> total]Item 761977197819791980 1Third quarter19791980Compensation <strong>of</strong> employees75.174.574.574.475.374.375.3Wages, salaries, fringe benefits, and o<strong>the</strong>rEmployer contributions for social insuranceProprietors' income 270.05.16.869.45.16.769.25.36.769.05.46.769.85.56.268.95.46.769.85.56.1Nonfarm 2 ..Farm 2Rental income 3Corporate pr<strong>of</strong>its 2Net interest5.41.41.710.06.35.51.21.610.76.55.21.51.610.66.65.11.61.610.07.35.11.11.58.68.55.21.51.510.07.45.11.01.58.48.71 Preliminary,2 With inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments.3 Rental income <strong>of</strong> persons, with capital consumption adjustment.Note.—Quarterly figures based on seasonally adjusted data.Detail may not add to 100 percent because <strong>of</strong> rounding.Source: Department <strong>of</strong> Commerce, Bureau <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Analysis.155

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