The French and US models for distributing productivity gains

We look at how hourly labour productivity gains have been used in France and the United States since 1990. In principle, an increase in hourly labour productivity can be used to: Reduce the number of hours worked (per year) by each wage earner; Reduce the employment rate (for example by maintaining a low retirement age); Increase real wages and the wage share of GDP; Increase the earnings share of GDP. In France, hourly productivity gains have been used to: Reduce working time; Maintain a low retirement age; Increase real wages. In the United States, they have been used to: Increase real wages only partially; Increase the earnings share of GDP; Without reducing working time and without a low retirement age. Two different philosophies are apparent: France has a preference for leisure and purchasing power; The United States has a preference for earnings.