US non-farm business sector labour productivity increased by 4.9 per cent quarter on quarter (QoQ) seasonally adjusted in the third quarter (Q3) last year, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), as output increased by 5.4 per cent and hours worked increased by 0.5 per cent. It increased by 1.9 per cent year on year (YoY) in the quarter.

Unit labour costs in the non-farm business sector decreased by 1.9 per cent QoQ seasonally adjusted in the quarter, reflecting a 2.9-per cent QoQ increase in hourly compensation and a 4.9-per cent increase in productivity. Unit labour costs increased by 1.2 per cent YoY in the quarter.

US non-farm business sector labour productivity increased by 4.9 per cent quarter on quarter (QoQ) seasonally adjusted in Q3 2025.
It increased by 1.9 per cent YoY in the quarter.
Manufacturing sector labour productivity in the country rose by 3.3 per cent QoQ in Q3 2025.
It increased by 2.3 per cent YoY in the quarter—the largest four-quarter gain in manufacturing productivity since Q2 2021.

Real hourly compensation, which takes into account consumer prices, decreased 0.2 per cent QoQ and increased by 0.3 per cent YoY in Q3 2025.

Manufacturing sector labour productivity in the country increased by 3.3 per cent QoQ in Q3 2025, as output increased by 2.6 per cent QoQ and hours worked decreased by 0.7 per cent QoQ.

In the durable manufacturing sector, productivity increased by 4.7 per cent QoQ in the quarter, reflecting a 3-per cent increase in output and a 1.7-per cent decrease in hours worked.

Non-durable manufacturing sector productivity increased by 1.2 per cent QoQ, as output increased by 2.1 per cent and hours worked increased by 1 per cent.

Total manufacturing sector productivity increased by 2.3 per cent YoY—the largest four-quarter gain in manufacturing productivity since Q2 2021, when it increased by 4.9 per cent YoY.

Unit labour costs in the total manufacturing sector increased by 1.5 per cent QoQ in Q3 2025, reflecting a 4.8-per cent increase in hourly compensation and a 3.3-per cent increase in productivity.

Unit labour costs increased 0.6 per cent QoQ in the durable goods sector and by 2.8 per cent QoQ in non-durable goods industries. Manufacturing unit labour costs increased by 1.3 per cent YoY in the quarter.

The number of job openings in the United States was little changed month on month (MoM) at 7.1 million in November, but was down by 885,000 YoY, a BLS release said.

The job openings rate, at 4.3 per cent, changed little MoM.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)