Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 0.9 percent during the second quarter of 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday, as output increased a seasonally-adjusted 3.4 percent and hours worked increased 2.5 percent. From the second quarter of 2016 to the second quarter of 2017, productivity increased 1.2 percent, reflecting a 2.7-percent increase in output and a 1.5-percent increase in hours worked.
Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 2.5 percent in the second quarter of 2017, as output increased 1.6 percent and hours worked decreased 0.9 percent. Output per hour increased 3.8 percent in the durable goods manufacturing sector and edged down 0.1 percent in the nondurable goods sector. Over the last four quarters, manufacturing sector productivity increased 1.0 percent, as output increased 1.5 percent and hours worked increased 0.4 percent. Unit labor costs in manufacturing decreased 0.3 percent in the second quarter of 2017 and rose 0.1 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
Manufacturing sector productivity increased 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2017. Productivity decreased 0.9 percent in the durable goods sector and increased 2.6 percent in the nondurable goods sector. Q1 unit labor costs increased 3.9 percent in the manufacturing sector.
