Productivity Increased 3.3% in Second Quarter

Washington, DC, September 2, 2015—Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 3.3% annual rate during the second quarter of 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported, as output increased 4.7% and hours worked increased 1.4%.

From the second quarter of 2014 to the second quarter of 2015, productivity increased 0.7%, reflecting increases in output and hours worked of 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively.

Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 2.3% in the second quarter of 2015, as output increased 1.3%, and hours worked decreased 0.9%.

Productivity increased 2.8 % in the durable manufacturing sector and 1.2% in the nondurable goods sector.

Over the last four quarters, manufacturing productivity increased 1.0%, as output increased 2.3%, and hours increased 1.2%.

Unit labor costs in manufacturing decreased 2.2% in the second quarter of 2015 and increased 0.2% from the same quarter a year ago.