Since 1989, labor costs don’t budge when non-labor costs rise: Unit labor cost growth and lagged growth in non-labor costs, 1989–2019
| % change in unit labor cost | % change in unit non-labor costs | |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 2.10% | 2.00% |
| 1990 | 1.90% | 1.40% |
| 1991 | 1.10% | 1.10% |
| 1992 | 1.60% | 1.00% |
| 1993 | 1.10% | 0.20% |
| 1994 | 0.50% | -0.30% |
| 1995 | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| 1996 | 0.50% | 0.00% |
| 1997 | 0.40% | 0.50% |
| 1998 | 0.70% | 1.40% |
| 1999 | 1.70% | 1.00% |
| 2000 | 0.70% | 2.10% |
| 2001 | 0.90% | 0.40% |
| 2002 | 0.70% | -1.50% |
| 2003 | 2.20% | 0.00% |
| 2004 | 3.00% | 0.20% |
| 2005 | 2.00% | 0.00% |
| 2006 | 2.00% | 1.10% |
| 2007 | 2.60% | 1.90% |
| 2008 | -0.40% | 1.70% |
| 2009 | 2.60% | -1.40% |
| 2010 | 1.60% | 0.20% |
| 2011 | 2.00% | 0.20% |
| 2012 | 1.30% | 1.90% |
| 2013 | 1.70% | 0.30% |
| 2014 | 0.90% | 0.80% |
| 2015 | 1.50% | 2.00% |
| 2016 | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| 2017 | 2.50% | 1.30% |
| 2018 | 1.50% | 1.00% |
| 2019 | -0.50% | 1.50% |
Note: Both labor costs and non-labor costs are calculated as the contribution of each to overall price changes. Data are measured from the same quarter in the previous year, with the non-labor costs lagged one period.
Source: Data from table 1.15 from the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).