# UK Productivity Puzzle Resolved

> ONS revises productivity measure, showing UK growth at 1.3% annually.
- Title: UK Productivity Puzzle Resolved · MoneyWeek | Shortify
- Summary: ONS revises productivity measure, showing UK growth at 1.3% annually. UK productivity growth revised to 1.3% annually from 2009-2019, higher than previously…
- Keywords: ons, productivity, labor force survey, resolution foundation, real time information, Puzzle, Resolved, MoneyWeek
- Source: MoneyWeek — https://moneyweek.com/economy/uk-economy/why-britains-productivity-problem-isnt-as-bad-as-we-thought
- Published: 2026-10-03T08:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: uk, ons, productivity, g7, labor force survey, resolution foundation, real time information
## ONS updates productivity measurement
The Office for National Statistics changed how it measures productivity, economic output per hour worked.
## Revised growth rate 1.3% annually
The government's official statisticians now estimate the rate of growth in the decade following the global financial crisis, from 2009-2019, was 1.3% each year, on average.
## Previous method flawed
The ONS previously calculated total hours worked from the Labour Force Survey, which became unreliable with low response rates.
## New component method used
The ONS now uses a component method drawing on Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings and other business surveys.
## Productivity growth improved
Revised figures show output grew by 15.8% from 2008 to 2024 versus 8.7% under old methods.
## Productivity still below pre-crisis
The revised annualised figure of 1.3% remains well below the pre-crisis average of 2%.
## Resolution Foundation analysis
The Resolution Foundation found productivity grew 1.1% since Q3 2024 using RTI payroll data and self-employment tax returns.
## Broad-based productivity recovery
12 of 19 sectors saw improved productivity growth in the past two years, including information and communications, retail, science, transport and health.
## Productivity challenges remain
The UK still faces slow productivity growth, with output per hour 40.7% higher on new estimates versus 34% on old ones.
## Key takeaway

UK productivity growth revised to 1.3% annually from 2009-2019, higher than previously thought but still below pre-crisis levels.