Germany hourly labour productivity index, adjusted
Germany hourly labour productivity index, adjusted stood at 102.8 in Q2 2026, according to Deutsche Bundesbank. It is one of the indicators in the Quarterly national accounts table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1991 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Quarterly national accounts table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour productivity per hour worked by persons in employment | |||||||||||
| Labour productivity per hour worked by persons in employment, Whole economy, Chain-linked index, seasonally adjusted only | 102.8 | 101.72 | 101.56 | 101.32 | 101.36 | 100.67 | 100.19 | 100.07 | 99.85 | 100.56 |
Understanding germany hourly labour productivity index, adjusted
True economic efficiency, measured by the volume produced per unit of time actively spent on the job, defines the precise boundaries of this performance indicator. By dividing chain-linked gross domestic product by the total aggregate hours worked by all employed persons, it isolates productivity gains from mere changes in the size of the workforce or the length of the working week. This contrasts sharply with per-capita productivity measures, which cannot account for shifts between full-time and part-time employment, short-time work schemes, or absenteeism. The index format tracks the relative evolution of this efficiency over time rather than expressing an absolute monetary value.
Calendar adjustment is critical here, as varying numbers of public holidays and weekends directly alter the aggregate hours worked in any given quarter without reflecting true efficiency changes. Assessing seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter movements helps identify turning points in industrial efficiency, while year-on-year index comparisons are better suited to filter out short-term fluctuations in shift patterns or temporary furloughs. The series is heavily prone to revision because both the numerator and the denominator rely on separate, frequently updated statistical models and enterprise surveys. A major pitfall is attributing changes solely to worker effort, whereas this ratio is heavily influenced by capital investment, technological upgrades, and shifts in the underlying industry mix.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a rise in this index mean workers are exerting more physical effort?
- Efficiency gains frequently stem from capital investments, automation, or improved management practices rather than increased physical exertion. The index simply measures the ratio of output to time spent, regardless of the underlying cause.
- Why is calendar adjustment so important for the quarterly figures?
- The shifting timing of public holidays and the varying number of weekends directly alter the aggregate hours worked in a quarter. Removing these calendar effects prevents artificial spikes or dips in the efficiency calculation.
- How does a shift toward part-time employment impact this measure?
- Because the denominator relies strictly on total hours worked rather than a simple headcount, a transition to part-time roles does not artificially depress the productivity calculation.