2012 First Quarter (Preliminary) Productivity and Costs — 2012-05-03

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased at a 0.5 percent annual rate during the first quarter of 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The decline in productivity reflects increases of 2.7 percent in output and 3.2 percent in hours worked. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual rates.) From the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012, productivity increased 0.5 percent as output and hours worked rose 2.8 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. (See table A.) Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of hours worked of all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers. Unit labor costs in nonfarm businesses increased 2.0 percent in the first quarter of 2012, while hourly compensation increased 1.5 percent. Unit labor costs rose 2.1 percent over the last four quarters.