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TITLE:

Features of Measuring Labour Productivity in the Cultural Sphere

Igor A. Nikolaev

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RAR (Research Article Report)

JEL Z11. J24

https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_3_10_498_509

AUTHOR

Igor A. Nikolaev

Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1403-1593

SPIN-code: 2777-8167

ResearcherID: QKZ-3428-2026

FOR CITATION

Nikolaev I.A. Features of Measuring Labour Productivity in the Cultural Sphere. Uroven' Zhizni Naseleniya Regionov Rossii=Living Standards of the Population in the Regions of Russia. 2026;22(3):498–509. https://doi.org/10.52180/1999-9836_2026_22_3_10_498_509 (In Russ.)

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes the feasibility and appropriateness of calculating labour productivity indicators for the cultural sector and for social sectors in general. An analytical assessment of the practice of calculating labour productivity indicators is provided by both Rosstat and the Russian Ministry of Culture. It is noted that this issue remains methodologically insufficiently defined, and the statistical indicators generated do not provide the necessary insight into the state of labour productivity both at the level of the entire economy and at the level of social sectors, including culture. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that the gross value added (GVA) indicator can be used to calculate labour productivity in the cultural sector, despite the non-market nature of the industry. It is also important to consider the specific nature of the GVA generated in the cultural sector, the source of which is primarily budgets at all levels. The obvious conclusion that labour productivity in the cultural sector depends largely on budgetary capabilities should not call into question the feasibility of using GVA to calculate labour productivity indicators. It is also justified to conclude that the opportunity to compare the cultural sector with other sectors using GVA for calculating the level of labour productivity in this indicator should be used very carefully due to the high probability of incorrectness of the corresponding comparisons.

KEYWORDS

labor productivity, gross value added (GVA), Rosstat statistics, measurement of labor productivity, labor costs, social sectors, cultural sphere

INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Igor A. Nikolaev

Doctor of Economics, Chief Researcher, Center for Innovative Economics and Industrial Policy, Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

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