Productivity growth in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy continues to outpace gains in the non-farm business sector generally. During the first three months of this year productivity in manufacturing grew at an annual rate of 4.2%, the U.S. Labor Department reported on May 4. The non-farm business sector, which includes manufacturing among its segments, advanced at a 3.2% pace.
Manufacturing productivity growth from January through March was a product of a 5.8% increase in output and a 1.6% increase in hours worked. Manufacturing accounts for about 13% of U.S. business sector employment.
