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Prominent CEOs, university presidents, national lab directors and labor leaders propose ways to fix America’s declining productivity and increase U.S. competitiveness

December 9, 2016

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WASHINGTON— In one of the largest gatherings of major public- and private-sector leaders since the election, National Competitiveness Forum attendees examined the U.S. economy’s lack of productivity and changes underway to address it in the next Presidential administration.

Many in attendance were energized by the discussions on innovation, manufacturing, energy and public-private partnerships. Major keynotes included an address on trade by FedEx Chairman and CEO, Fred Smith; an analysis of U.S. productivity decline by Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO, Gallup, Inc.; and a discussion of the future of American entrepreneurship with Steve Case, founder and former CEO, America Online.

For 30 years, the Council has emphasized that increasing innovation-driven productivity is the key to achieving that kind of economic growth. The 2016 Clarion Call is a road map to drive productivity, revive growth and generate the good-paying jobs America needs.

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Stand-alone Report Card

December 6, 2016

WASHINGTON- For many Americans the post-recession economy doesn't present the opportunity they wished came with growth. Rising stock prices and low unemployment have masked a low-growth status quo that threatens future U.S. prosperity. Drawing on proprietary Gallup data, the U.S. Council on Competitiveness and Gallup released "No Recovery," which examines the problems that persist with declining productivity growth.

"The U.S. Council on Competitiveness has long advocated that productivity is the key to American prosperity and a rising standard of living," said Deborah L. Wince-Smith, president and CEO of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness. "'No Recovery' makes clear the seriousness of a decades-long slump in productivity and its ramifications - particularly in the three critical sectors of healthcare, housing and education. At a time when so many Americans feel the economy is not working for them, this report sheds light on the importance of raising the quality-to-cost ratio for fundamental parts of our lives."

Conventional wisdom — as reported in many major newspapers and media — tells us the U.S. economy is “recovering.” Well-meaning economists, academics and government officials use the term “recovery” when discussing the economy, implying that growth is getting stronger. The U.S. Council on Competitiveness asked Gallup to conduct, pro bono, a comprehensive study of U.S. growth and productivity for the Council’s 30th anniversary. The study finds there is no recovery. The Great Recession may be over, but America is dangerously running on empty.

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