The Hamilton Index: Assessing National
Performance in the Competition
for Advanced Industries
ROBERT D. ATKINSON | JUNE 2022
Compared to major competitors, U.S. output in key advanced industries is weak and declining.
Congress and the administration should launch an economic “moon shot” initiative committing
to increase the concentration of these industries in the U.S. economy by at least 20 percentage
points relative to the global average within a decade.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
? Nations are in a fierce win-lose competition for global market share in advanced, traded-
sector technology industries, because winning enables economic and national security—
especially for allied nations where China’s gain comes at their loss.
? ITIF’s Hamilton Index of Advanced-Industry Performance shows America is strongest in
pharmaceuticals, other transportation equipment (principally aerospace), and IT and
other information services (software and Internet companies).
? U.S. global market share is quite low and falling in electrical equipment; machinery and
equipment; and motor vehicles. Overall U.S. global market share in advanced industries
has fallen since 1995 to 6 percent under the size-