Labour productivity grew 3.0% in Q1

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s labour productivity grew 3.0% in the first quarter of 2018 to RM80,440, after registering 3.8% growth (RM85,281) in the fourth quarter of 2017 (Q4 2017).
During the first three months of the year, Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5.4% (Q4 2017: 5.9%) while employment grew 2.3% (Q4 2017: 2.0%).
The mining and quarrying sector saw significant growth of labour productivity at 8.3% (Q4 2017: 5.4%) with a value of RM1.1 million, while the value added of this sector recorded 0.1% (Q4 2017: -0.3%) amid the 7.6% decline in employment.
Labour productivity in the manufacturing sector rose 3.3% (Q4 2017: 3.7%) at RM108,670. During this quarter, value added grew 5.3% (Q4 2017: 5.4%) while employment increased 2.0% (Q4 2017: 1.7%).
As for the construction sector, labour productivity moderated to 0.7% from 1.6% in Q4 2017, in this quarter under review with a value of RM43,173. The moderation was attributed to the slower performance in value added at 4.9% (Q4 2017: 5.9%) while employment growth remained at 4.2%.
The services sector saw a growth of 4.6% (RM72,145) against the 5.0% recorded in the previous quarter. In terms of value added, this sector expanded to 6.5% (Q4 2017: 6.2%) while employment increased 1.8% (Q4 2017: 1.1%).
Meanwhile, the agriculture sector posted a negative growth of 1.4% (Q4 2017: 4.8%) at RM48,953. The value added of this sector grew 2.8% (Q4 2017: 10.7%) while employment rose 4.2% (Q4 2017: 5.7%).