Labor Productivity Declined 4.8% in Q4 2020

Washington, DC, February 4, 2021-Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 4.8% in Q4 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, as output increased 5.3% and hours worked increased 10.7%. 

The Q4 2020 decline in productivity is the largest quarterly decline in the measure since a decline of 5.1% in Q2 1981. 

From Q4 2019 to Q4 2020, nonfarm business productivity increased 2.5%, reflecting a 2.7% decline in output and a 5.0% decline in hours worked.