ABSTRACT
InthischapterweexaminehowAmericanworkersand theirfamilieshavefaredincomparisontotheirforeign counterparts.WhileAmericansstillhavethehighestper capitaincomeasmeasuredbyrelativepurchasingpower, manyindicatorsofeconomicwell-beingstillshowtheU.S. tobefallingbehind.Comparedtoothercountries,U.S. productivitygrowthhasbeenrelativelystagnant.likewise, wagegrowth(whichisrelatedtoproductivity)hasbeen sluggish,whileothercountrieshaveseenstronggrowth. Finally,thoughtheU.S.economyseemedtohaveafaster rateofjobgrowththanothercountriesoverthe1980s, takingaccountofpopulationgrowth,othercountrieshave hadhigherratesofjobcreation.
