Question

Suppose a country reduces restrictions on how many hours people can work. If reducing these restrictions increase the total number of hours worked in the economy, but all other factors that determine output are held fixed, then

a) productivity and output both rise.
b) productivity rises and output falls.
c) productivity falls and output rises.
d) productivity and output fall.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the restrictions on working hours are removed such that keeping other factors constant, the total number of hours worked increases. This will cause the total output to increase.

But the workers will not be able to work efficiently for longer hours. This will cause productivity to decline.

This happens because working for long hours will make the workers tired. Their health is negatively impacted so their productivity will decline.