2016 Multifactor Productivity Trends for Detailed Industries — 2018-06-28

Multifactor productivity -- defined as output per unit of combined inputs -- rose in 37 of the 86 4-digit NAICS manufacturing industries in 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This was up from 2015, when multifactor productivity increased in 21 manufacturing industries. In 2016, multifactor productivity rose in one of the two transportation industries measured (air transportation), the same as in 2015. Of the 12 largest industries, multifactor productivity increased the most in printing and related support activities (3.6 percent), as output increased while combined inputs declined. Output growth occurred in 7 out of the 12 industries. In 5 of these, combined inputs fell or grew at a slower rate than output, leading to multifactor productivity growth. However, output fell more than combined inputs in 4 of the 12 industries, leading to declines in multifactor productivity.