Manufacturing sector productivity increased 1.1 percent in 2015, while unit labor costs increased 1.3 percent and real hourly compensation in manufacturing increased 2.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Manufacturing sector productivity decreased 0.4 percent in the fourth quarter as output increased 0.5 percent and hours worked increased 0.9 percent. Productivity decreased 1 percent in the durable manufacturing sector and increased 0.3 in the nondurable manufacturing sector.
Over the last four quarters, manufacturing productivity increased 1.5 percent, as output increased 1.1 percent and hours decreased 0.4 percent. Unit labor costs in manufacturing increased 3.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and increased 1.9 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity was revised down 1.2 percent in the third quarter of 2015 to an increase of 1.7 percent.
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased at a 3 percent annual rate during the fourth quarter as output increased 1 percent and hours worked increased 3.3 percent. From the fourth quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2015, productivity increased 0.3 percent. Annual average productivity increased 0.6 percent from 2014 to 2015.
Unit labor costs in nonfarm businesses increased 4.5 percent in the fourth quarter, reflecting a 1.3 percent increase in hourly compensation and a 3 percent decline in productivity. Unit labor costs increased 2.8 percent over the last four quarters.
