Are Weak Manufacturing Productivity Numbers an Accurate Reflection of Reality?

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show an astonishing collapse in long-term productivity growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector, starting with the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Even before COVID-19, output per hour in manufacturing grew at only a 0.5% annual rate during the decade from 2009 to 2019.

Do these numbers paint an accurate picture of the state of American manufacturing? The Progressive Policy Institute, a Democratic think tank, has produced this analysis published by Indiana University. 11/23/2020