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Posted December 2, 2015

Manufacturing productivity on the rise

Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 5.1 percent in the third quarter of 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.


It was the largest gain since a 6.1-percent increase in the third quarter of 2011, as output increased 3.2 percent and hours worked decreased 1.8 percent. Productivity increased 6.9 percent in the durable goods manufacturing sector and increased 2.3 percent in the nondurable goods sector.

Over the last four quarters, manufacturing productivity increased 1.5 percent, as output increased 2.0 percent and hours increased 0.4 percent. Unit labor costs in manufacturing increased 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2015 and increased 2.1 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 2.2-percent annual rate during the third quarter of 2015, as output increased 1.8 percent and hours worked decreased 0.3 percent.

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