US nonfarm business labour productivity increased at a 3.6% annualised rate in the third quarter of 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said on 5 November. Output rose 3.7% while hours worked increased 0.1%. Unit labour costs fell at a 0.7% annualised rate during the quarter; they were still up 2.4% compared with a year earlier. Productivity grew 2.1% year on year. The preliminary series measures output per hour rather than total employment or payroll growth.

US nonfarm business labour productivity rose at an annualised rate of 3.6% in the third quarter of 2026, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics data released on 5 November. Business output increased 3.7%, while hours worked edged up just 0.1%, indicating improved efficiency. Unit labour costs declined at an annualised rate of 0.7%, potentially easing inflationary pressures, although they remained 2.4% higher year on year. Productivity also increased 2.1% compared with the same quarter last year, highlighting continued improvements in output per hour worked.