Germany hourly unit labour costs, information sector
Germany hourly unit labour costs, information sector stood at 121.79 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit labour costs per hour | |||||||||||
| Information and communication | 121.79 | 120.73 | 120.52 | 121.36 | 120.82 | 119.63 | 121.21 | 118.14 | 118.34 | 116.06 | |
| Production sector (excluding construction) | 119.8 | 119.33 | 118.85 | 117.59 | 117.35 | 117.23 | 116.36 | 113.68 | 112.92 | 113.16 |
Understanding germany hourly unit labour costs, information sector
Software development, telecommunications, broadcasting, and publishing form the foundation of this targeted cost metric. It calculates the ratio of total compensation paid to employees in these digital fields against the gross value added they produce. By dividing salaries and employer contributions by the sector's inflation-adjusted output volume, the index tracks the cost efficiency of generating intangible digital goods. This aggregate distinguishes itself from general business services by focusing squarely on data transmission, content creation, and IT infrastructure. It reveals whether the salaries commanded by programmers and network engineers are offset by matching gains in digital productivity.
The rapid deployment of network technologies and sudden software releases cause erratic jumps in output, making the seasonally adjusted time series necessary for smoothing irregular product cycles. Analysts prefer period-on-period evaluations to capture fast-moving shifts in tech efficiency, as year-on-year metrics obscure rapid technological obsolescence. The underlying data is highly susceptible to revision, particularly regarding the price deflators used to measure the constantly improving quality of telecommunication services. A frequent mistake is assuming this index tracks hardware manufacturing costs; physical computer production belongs entirely to the industrial sector, leaving this row dedicated strictly to digital services and software.
Frequently asked questions
- Are freelance software developers captured in this measurement?
- Only formal employees are included in the compensation numerator, meaning the invoices paid to independent contractors or freelance coders are excluded.
- Does this include the production of physical books and newspapers?
- Yes, the publishing of traditional print media is grouped alongside digital content creation within this broader communication category.
- How is the output of free ad-supported media measured?
- The gross value added for these services is largely calculated based on the advertising revenue generated, rather than direct consumer subscription fees.