A Two-sector Model of Endogenous Growth with Leisure Externalities

This paper considers leisure externalities in a Lucas (1988) type model in which physical and human capital are necessary inputs in both sectors. In spite of a non-concave utility, the balanced growth path is always unique in our model which guarantees global stability for comparative-static exercises. We analyze and quantify the effects of preferences toward leisure on labor supply and welfare. We find that small differences in preferences toward leisure can explain a substantial fraction of differences in hours worked between Americans and Europeans. Quantitative results indicate that these differences also explain why Europeans grow less and consume less, but still prefer their lifestyle to that of the United States.