WASHINGTON, DC — The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor announced preliminary data showing that productivity increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.5% in the 4th quarter of 2001. This was the largest gain in over a year. In the 3rd quarter, productivity rose by just 1.1%.

On an annual average basis, however, productivity improved by 1.8% in 2001, which was the smallest annual gain since 1995.

Publication date: 02/04/2002