Overview of BLS Productivity Statistics

Productivity and related cost measures are designed for use in economic analysis and public and private policy planning. The data are used to forecast and analyze changes in prices, wages, and technology. There are two primary types of productivity statistics:

• Labor productivity measures output per hour of labor.
• Multifactor productivity measures output per unit of combined inputs, which consist of labor and capital, and, in some cases, intermediate inputs such as fuel.

BLS productivity measures:

Labor Productivity

Data on output per hour and unit labor costs are available for the U.S. business sector, the nonfarm business sector, and the manufacturing sector. These are the productivity statistics most often cited in the news. In addition, output per hour and unit labor costs are available for over 400 selected industries in manufacturing, mining, utilities, wholesale and retail trade, and services.

Multifactor Productivity

Multifactor productivity statistics are available for the U.S. business sector, the nonfarm business sector, the manufacturing sector, and 18 groups of manufacturing industries, 86 detailed manufacturing industries, railroad transportation, air transportation, and utilities.

International Comparisons

International comparisons of output per hour and unit labor costs in manufacturing are available for about a dozen countries, including the U.S.

For more information on the measurement of productivity, see the BLS Handbook of Methods.

Last Modified Date: May 21, 2008