The average monthly gross income increased by a fifth during the year

In counties the average monthly gross income was the highest in Harju and Tartu counties, where the average monthly gross income was bigger than the Estonian average in 2007. The average monthly gross income per employee was bigger in local government units situated near Tallinn. Among the first 15 local government units there were 14 Harju county local government units.

Last year the females’ average monthly gross income was 9,563 kroons and males’ 13,425 kroons. Compared to the previous year the females’ average monthly gross income increased almost 1,600 kroons and males’ 2,300 kroons. The females’ average monthly gross income was 29% smaller than the males’ average monthly gross income, this indicator did not change significantly compared to the previous year.

The difference between the average monthly gross income of females and males was the smallest in Tartu county and the biggest in Hiiu county, a year before in Võru and Hiiu counties, respectively.

As in the previous year the average monthly gross income of females and males was the highest in Viimsi rural municipality (respectively 14,418 and 21,789 kroons) and the lowest in Piirissaare rural municipality (respectively 4,186 and 6,985 kroons). The difference between the average monthly gross incomes of females and males was the smallest in Nõva rural municipality and the biggest in Lohusuu rural municipality, a year before in Ruhnu and Lavassaare rural municipalities, respectively.

The analysis of the average monthly gross income of Statistics Estonia is based on the data of the Tax and Customs Board. The average monthly gross income per employee is computed as the sum of monthly average payments divided by the number of recipients who have received this payment.

The average monthly gross income of males was larger with respect to all age groups than that of females in all local government units. Higher gross income of males does not mean that men and women who do the same work get paid differently. Based on the data of the Tax and Customs Board we cannot conclude that we have to do with gender discrimination, as no such background data are available.

Gross income — differences by age and sex is one theme in the publication "Linnad ja vallad arvudes. 2008. Cities and Rural Municipalities in Figures”. The publication offers regional statistics and analyses the development of cities and rural municipalities.