The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported manufacturing sector labor productivity rose 1.3% during the fourth quarter (Q4) 2018. Output rose 2.3% and hours worked by 1.0%.
From Q4 2017 to Q4 2018, manufacturing productivity rose 0.7%, driven by a 2.8% gain in output and a 2.1% gain in hours worked. Annual average productivity rose 0.6% from 2017 to 2018.
The BLS data for Productivity and Costs in Q4 was only available for the manufacturing sector given the partial government shutdown.
Durable manufacturing labor productivity gained 2.6%, with output increasing 5.7% and hours by 3.0%. Labor productivity in the nondurable manufacturing sector increased 1.2% and hours fell 2.4%.
About Labor Productivity and Costs Report
Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of hours worked by all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers.
