1998 International Comparisons of Manufacturing Productivity and Unit Labor Cost Trends — 1999-08-27

In the United States, labor productivity in manufacturing increased by 4.1 percent in 1998, the same increase as in 1997, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Although below Germany's 4.3 percent gain in productivity, it was the second highest growth rate among the 11 countries being compared. Other countries showing significant increases in labor productivity (output per hour) were France, Sweden, and Norway. (See table A and chart 1.) These estimates represent preliminary estimates for 1998, as well as revisions to the estimates through 1997 contained in a March 1999 news release (USDL: 99-63). The foreign estimates are based on data available as of June 1999; the U.S. estimates are based on data available in August 1999. The U.S. output series used for international comparisons differs from the manufacturing series that BLS publishes quarterly on U.S. productivity and costs.