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Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS)

Labour Productivity
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11)

Indices on labour productivity for the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) sector are unavailable.

Indices on labour productivity for the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) sector are unavailable.

However, Statistics Canada publishes an index for the combination of the Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52), Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53) and Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55) business sectors. This grouping is herein referred to as the FIRE and Management sectors. It should be noted that the industry of owner-occupied dwellings is excluded from this combined index.

Under this topic you will find an index of labour productivity for Canada's Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) sector. You can use this information to identify trends in labour-productivity within the subsector and to gain insight into factors that affect it, such as innovation, efficiency and labour market flexibility.

Under this topic you will find an index of labour productivity for Canada's Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11) sector. You can use this information to identify trends in labour-productivity within the subsector and to gain insight into factors that affect it, such as innovation, efficiency and labour market flexibility.




Under this topic, data for the Textile Mills (NAICS 313) and Textile Product Mills (NAICS 314) subsectors are combined.

As previously noted, an index is available for the combination of the Finance and Insurance (NAICS 52), Real Estate and Rental and Leasing (NAICS 53) (excluding owner-occupied dwellings) and Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55) sectors.

The graph below illustrates changes in labour productivity for the FIRE and Management sectors as a group in comparison to the Canadian Economy between 2002 and 2011.

Labour Productivity Index: 2002-2011
FIRE and Management Sectors (NAICS 52, 53 and 55 Combined*)

Graph : Labour 
Productivity Index

Excludes owner-occupied dwellings

Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 383-0012, 2002 to 2011.

The graph below illustrates changes in labour productivity for the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector in comparison to the Canadian Economy between 2002 and 2011.

Labour Productivity Index: 2002-2011
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (NAICS 11)

Graph : Labour 
Productivity Index

Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 383-0012, 2002 to 2011.

As previously noted, a combined index is available for the Textile Mills (NAICS 313) and Textile Product Mills (NAICS 314) subsectors. The graph below illustrates changes in labour productivity for this group in comparison to the Canadian Economy between 2002 and 2011.

Labour Productivity Index: 2002-2011
Textile Mills and Textile Product Mills (NAICS 313 and 314 Combined)

Graph : Labour 
Productivity Index

Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM table 383-0012, 2002 to 2011.

Between 2002 and 2011 labour productivity in the FIRE and Management sectors increased 4.7% per year on average. In comparison, labour productivity for the Canadian Economy increased 1.7% per year.

Over the most recent year, labour productivity in the FIRE and Management sectors increased 1.2%, compared to a 3.0% increase for the Canadian Economy.

Productivity growth may occur for a number of reasons. For example, labour productivity may rise if output increases while employment levels decrease or stay on par. This phenomenon may occur from firms becoming more capital intensive, that is, increasing their use of technology and capital inputs in order to become more productive.

Between 2002 and 2011 labour productivity in the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector increased 4.7% per year on average. In comparison, labour productivity for the Canadian Economy increased 1.7% per year.

Over the most recent year, labour productivity in the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector increased 1.2%, compared to a 3.0% increase for the Canadian Economy.

Productivity growth may occur for a number of reasons. For example, labour productivity may rise if output increases while employment levels decrease or stay on par. This phenomenon may occur from firms becoming more capital intensive, that is, increasing their use of technology and capital inputs in order to become more productive.

Between 2002 and 2011 labour productivity in the combined Textile Mills and Textile Product Mills subsectors increased 4.7% per year on average. In comparison, labour productivity for the Canadian Economy increased 1.7% per year.

Over the most recent year, labour productivity in these combined subsectors increased 1.2%, compared to a 3.0% increase for the Canadian Economy.

Productivity growth may occur for a number of reasons. For example, labour productivity may rise if output increases while employment levels decrease or stay on par. This phenomenon may occur from firms becoming more capital intensive, that is, increasing their use of technology and capital inputs in order to become more productive.

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Important Notes on Labour Productivity Data

The annual indices on productivity presented in Canadian Industry Statistics are derived using values from CANSIM Table 383-0012. As the data in this table are presented on a quarterly basis, the average of the 4 values was computed to obtain an annual average index value. In this section data are available for the years 2002-2011.

Below the level of the Canadian Economy, only the activities of the business sector are factored into the calculation of the indices.

Labour Productivity data is only available at the NAICS sector (2-digit) level. As a result, businesses should use caution when using the data to make inferences about more specific industry segments.

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Understanding Labour Productivity

Labour productivity measures the extent to which labour is efficiently used. An increase in labour productivity is associated with increases to real incomes and the standard of living for an economy. It is determined by its capital intensity (or changes in the amount of capital per hour worked), investment in human capital, and multifactor productivity which includes technological change, organizational innovation, and economies of scale.

Annual measures of labour productivity are helpful in indentifying sources of economic growth, indicate how efficiently labour is used in production, and compute unit labour costs. However, these measurements must be interpreted carefully, as labour productivity estimates reflect change in other factors of production (such as capital) in addition to growth in productivity efficiency.

Labour productivity defines its hours worked, as the total number of hours a person spends working, whether paid or not. Time lost to strikes, lockouts, sick leave, etc is not included but travel time, time training, and overtime hours are comprised in the total.

At the Canadian Economy level, the labour productivity index is presented in terms of all economic activities that have been realized within the country. That is, it covers both the business and non-business sectors. Caution should be used when comparing index values at the Canadian Economy level with all other levels, which are presented in terms of the business sector only.

Labour productivity measures the extent to which labour is efficiently used. An increase in labour productivity is associated with increases to real incomes and the standard of living for an economy.

Changes in labour productivity may result from changes in one or more of the following factors:

  • Changes in productive labour efficiency :
    • size and composition of the work force
    • amount and type of employee training and work incentives offered; and
    • degree to which work flows are adjusted over time.
  • Changes in other factors of production:
    • the level of capital investment (e.g. more efficient equipment)

Labour productivity may fall if an industry does not adequately invest in the competence of its labour force, in modernizing its plants and factories, or in improving the efficiency of its operations.

Indices on labour productivity are unavailable for a number of NAICS sectors since certain activities are excluded. Also, data for the Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing and Management of Companies and Enterprises sectors are combined.