Over the last four quarters, manufacturing productivity increased 1.4 percent, as output increased 1 percent and hours declined 0.4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Manufacturing sector productivity decreased 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, as output increased 0.1 percent and hours worked rose 0.8 percent. Manufacturing sector productivity declined 1.8 percent in the durable goods manufacturing sector and increased 0.3 percent in the nondurable goods sector.
Unit labor costs in manufacturing increased 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and rose 1 percent from the same quarter a year ago.
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased at a 2.2-percent annual rate during the fourth quarter of 2015, as output increased 1 percent and hours worked increased 3.2 percent. From the fourth quarter of 2014 to the fourth quarter of 2015, productivity increased 0.5 percent. Annual average productivity increased 0.7 percent from 2014 to 2015.
Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, reflecting a 1.1-percent increase in hourly compensation and a 2.2-percent decrease in productivity. Unit labor costs increased 2.1 percent over the last four quarters.
