Abstract: TFP (Total factor productivity), a hot topic in today’s academia, is an important concept in the field of economic growth. In recent years，the study has been changed from the single measurement of labor productivity and capital productivity to the integrative measurement of total factor productivity. Moreover, the use of some new models and methods has also promoted the study of productivity onto an absolutely new height. The article systematically sorts out the research progress on total factor productivity at home and abroad, from the aspect of theoretical approaches and empirical research. It is found that there is some insufficiency in the existing research. Firstly，the theoretical study on total factor productivity is still inadequate. Secondly, there are relatively few studies on systematical and comprehensive empirical research on urban economy efficiency. Thirdly, the study on the policy system study for enhancing the economic efficiency is relatively weak. Finally the research method is not innovative. The paper also proposes the possible research directions.

Key words: economy growth, literature review, research progress, total factor productivity