Productivity Rose in Q3, Hours Worked Fell for First Time in 6 Years

Washington, DC, December 2, 2015—Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 2.2% annual rate during the third quarter of 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, as output increased 1.8% and hours worked decreased 0.3%.

The decline in hours worked was the first decline in this series since a 4.8% decline in the third quarter of 2009.

From the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015, productivity increased 0.6%, reflecting increases in output and hours worked of 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively.