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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_average_wage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_average_wa... Spain and France are #19 and #20

• aidenn0 12y ago
  Average is a bad choice for comparing labor costs, as it is distorted by the high earners. Median is a much better choice, and it's $30,932 in US and $29,636 in France: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income
  • nickff 12y ago
    If you are going to use household incomes to compare between countries, you should also give some thought to the differences between household structures. I am not sure what difference it would make in this case, but I have seen it make a big difference in other analyses.
    • aidenn0 12y ago
      Oh I agree, but I couldn't find median individual income.
  • josefresco 12y ago
    Good point. Using median income as the measure, France compares closely with the US, while Spain improves but is still ~50% of the US value. The parent point however that France and Spain are able to build railroads at 1/5 and 1/10 the rate of the US needs some reference.