The medium-high and high technological intensity sectors in Mexico and Brazil: a structural decomposition analysis between 2000-2014

We develop a structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to identify the importance of mid-high and high technological intensity (MH&HT) manufacturing and services to the changes in gross output for Brazil and Mexico between 2000 and 2014. We break down the output changes in the composition and level of final demand, the production technique (technical coefficients), and the trade pattern (share of imports in the total supply of inputs and final goods). The results show that the MH&HT importance tends to be pro-cyclical in the two economies, increasing during periods of more remarkable economic growth (2000-2008 for Brazil and 2010-2014 for Mexico). This relation tends to be perceived for manufacturing and less so for services.