Labour productivity of Canadian businesses edged up 0.1% in the fourth quarter, after declining the previous two quarters, according to StatCanada Friday report.
Business output and workin hours remained practically at the same levels in 4Q as before. StatCanada sees a little change in the productivity of both goods-producing businesses and service-producing businesses in the fourth quarter.
Productivity in goods-producing businesses edged up 0.1% for a second consecutive quarter. Productivity gains in agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (+2.7%), utilities (+2.3%) and mining and oil and gas extraction (+1.6%) were partly offset by losses in manufacturing (-1.8%).
In service-producing businesses, productivity also edged up 0.1%, led by gains in retail trade and the finance, insurance and holding company sector. These increases were partly offset by declines in transportation and warehousing as well as in arts, entertainment and recreation.
Labour costs per unit of output in the business sector rose 0.6% in the fourth quarter, a slower pace than in the three previous quarters.
The increase in unit labour costs reflected mainly the growth in the average compensation per hour worked (+0.7%), which was the same pace as in the previous quarter.