Nonfarm business productivity increased 1.9 percent from second quarter 2020 to second quarter 2021

From the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021, nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.9 percent. Unit labor costs increased 0.1 percent over the last four quarters, and hourly compensation increased 2.0 percent.

Business sector productivity rose 2.1 percent from the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021. Manufacturing productivity increased 6.8 percent from the same quarter a year ago, as output increased 16.5 percent and hours worked increased 9.1 percent.

These data are from the Labor Productivity and Costs program and are seasonally adjusted. All percent changes shown are subject to revision. To learn more, see "Productivity and Costs — Second Quarter and Annual Averages 2021, Preliminary.” Also see Charts related to the latest "Productivity and Costs" news release. Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of hours worked for all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers.