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March 06, 2019CANADA BUSINESS SECTOR LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, Q4 2018 AND 2018 ANNUAL 
Labour productivity of Canadian businesses declined 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2018, slowing from 0.2 per cent in the last quarter, and showing lower growth than the 0.3 per cent productivity growth of Q4 2017. Real gross domestic product (GDP) of businesses was flat in Q4, while hours worked rose 0.4 per cent. Growth in total compensation per hour worked was up 0.8 per cent in 2018Q4.
Unit labour cost increased 1.2 per cent in Q4, following an increase of 0.1 per cent in the previous quarter.
Measured in US dollars, Canada's unit labour costs were unchanged per cent in the quarter, after a decline of -1.1 per cent in Q3.
Unit labour costs in US dollars have declined 2.6 per cent since Q4 2017.
ANNUAL
For 2018, labour productivity was flat (0.0%), following a 1.9 per cent increase in 2017. Real GDP and hours worked both increased 1.6 per cent in 2018. In 2017, Real GDP increased 3.4 per cent, and hours worked increased 1.5 per cent.
Note: Labour productivity, GDP and, unit labour costs cover the business sector only. Labour productivity is a measure of real GDP per hour worked. Unit labour cost is defined as the cost of workers' wages and benefits per unit of real GDP.
Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0206-01 Indexes of business sector labour productivity, unit labour cost and related variables
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