Why is productivity slowing down—and what does it mean for growth?
Across developed economies—including the UK, France, Japan, and the US—productivity growth has been slowing for decades. This trend appears to contradict the rapid pace of technological innovation, particularly in AI, and the transformative effects of globalisation. So why, despite all this progress, is economic growth falling?
In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford. Together, they explore the paradox of declining productivity in an age of innovation, drawing on Professor Goldin’s extensive experience advising global institutions on economic growth, development, and migration.
Related

The Independent Water Commission—implications for regulation
This week brought the publication of the Independent Water Commission’s final recommendations for reforming the England and Wales water sector. The report identifies a set of recommendations intended to drive a ‘fundamental reset’ in the industry and restore public trust. In this note, we explore five aspects of the Commission’s… Read More

Reform of the German electricity grid tariff system: should producers pay grid charges?
The German regulator Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) published a discussion paper regarding the future of electricity grid charges in Germany in May 2025.1 The paper asks critical questions regarding the future grid charging architecture in Germany and the consultation could yield a complete system overhaul in relation to tariff design. Read More