Journal Article

The U.S. establishment-size distribution: secular changes and sectoral decomposition

Abstract: This article studies the U.S. establishment-size distribution from 1974?2006. The main findings are: (i) the size of the ?representative? establishment is relatively constant; (ii) the size distribution has become slightly more evenly distributed; (iii) the relative stability of aggregate statistics obscures important movements in the manufacturing and service sectors; (iv) both intra- and intersector changes contribute to aggregate changes; and (v) changes in the size distribution of firms are similar to those of establishments. These findings will be useful to calibrate and test models with firms/establishments heterogeneity.

Keywords: Labor market;

Bibliographic Information

Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Part of Series: Economic Quarterly

Publication Date: 2009

Volume: 95

Issue: Fall

Pages: 419-454