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, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 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 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.
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 0.9 percent during the second quarter as output increased 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.
Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 0.6 percent in the second quarter of 2017, reflecting a 1.6 percent increase in hourly compensation and a 0.9 percent increase in productivity. Unit labor costs decreased 0.2 percent over the last four quarters.
