Abstract

RUIZ NAPOLES, Pablo. Vertically integrated unit labor costs by sector Mexico-USA, 1970-2000. Inv. Econ [online]. 2010, vol.69, n.273, pp.15-54. ISSN 0185-1667.

Real effective exchange rates have been calculated by relative unit labor costs for many countries in the world economy. In this work we develop a methodology to estimate vertically integrated unit labor costs by sector, using input-output techniques, for the Mexican and United States economies in the period 1970-2000. The results are then compared to a measurement of revealed comparative advantage by sector, of the Mexican economy, in order to establish whether Mexican foreign trade by sector was related to its relative labor costs during this period. To test this relationship econometric analysis for panel data is utilized.

Keywords : unit labor costs; input-output; foreign trade; comparative advantage.

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