First Quarter Productivity Growth Slows as Oil Disruptions and Weak Output Weigh on the Economy
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its revised first quarter 2026 productivity figures on June 4th, and the headline is weaker than the underlying economy deserves. Nonfarm business sector labor productivity rose just 0.3 percent in Q1, as output climbed 1.0 percent against a 0.7 percent increase in hours worked.