US Nonfarm Productivity Rises 1.4% in Q2 as Unit Labor Costs Increase 1.3%
Updated
Updated · Forex Factory · Aug 7
US Nonfarm Productivity Rises 1.4% in Q2 as Unit Labor Costs Increase 1.3%
3 articles · Updated · Forex Factory · Aug 7
Summary
U.S. nonfarm business labor productivity rose at a 1.4% annualized rate in Q2 2026, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Output increased 1.7% while hours worked edged up 0.3%, producing the quarter’s gain; from a year earlier, productivity was up 2.2%.
Unit labor costs climbed 1.3% in the quarter as hourly compensation rose 2.7%, pointing to continued wage-cost pressure even with stronger efficiency.
The report follows other recent labor data showing slower July job growth and low layoffs, reinforcing a picture of modest hiring alongside improving productivity.