Additional Publications

For short takes read The Economics Daily productivity related articles. Spotlight on Statistics are analyses told through charts and maps. Beyond the Numbers productivity articles offer research summaries. For more in-depth analysis read on the topic of productivity in the Monthly Labor Review.

In addition, the Commissioner’s Corner productivity related blogs provide information on the many other areas in which BLS is involved and highlights our testimony before Congressional committees, public speeches by BLS leadership, awards and recognition, and outstanding new products on the BLS website.

Beyond the Numbers

The rise in remote work since the pandemic and its impact on productivity

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about dramatic changes in the work environment. Although 6.5 percent of workers in the private business sector worked primarily from home in 2019, the pandemic was the start of a massive experiment in full-time remote work for most workers and firms. People often ask: are workers more productive or less productive when working from home? read more »

Monthly Labor Review

AI and the rise of software investment

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technological innovation in many aspects of production and across many industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) implicitly captures AI use through its capital measure of software used in production. This article uses data from the BLS productivity program to break down recent investment growth by asset category and, more specifically, to examine recent investment in the software category. read more »

The Economics Daily

Productivity up 0.3 percent in first quarter 2026

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, as output increased 1.0 percent and hours worked increased 0.7 percent. This is the smallest increase in nonfarm business sector labor productivity since the first quarter of 2025, when there was a 0.9-percent decrease. read more »

Spotlight on Statistics

A Look at a Thrilling Industry: Amusement and Theme Parks

This Spotlight on Statistics reviews historical establishment, employment, and wage trends for the amusement and theme parks industry. Additionally, productivity, consumer expenditures for entertainment fees and admissions, and producer prices for select amusement and theme parks products are reviewed. read more »