The U.S. Department of Labor reported productivity of the country’s non-farm businesses increased at a rate of 1.7 percent during the first quarter.
In manufacturing, productivity increased 2.7 percent, the department reported, while labor costs for the sector rose by 2.7 percent. Manufacturing output increased by 1.5 percent in the first quarter, while hours worked fell by 1.1 percent, according to the department.
Output in the overall non-farm sector rose by 1.4 percent while hours worked decreased by 0.3 percent.
