The decrease of the average monthly gross wages and salaries slowed down

The average gross wages and salaries decreased for the fifth quarter in succession compared to the same quarter of the previous year, but the decrease slowed down in the 1st quarter. In the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter of 2009 the decline was 1.5%, 4.4%, 5.9% and 6.5%, respectively.

The real wages which took into account the influence of the change in the consumer price index decreased 2.6% in the 1st quarter. In the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarter of 2009 the real wages decreased by 4.5%, 4.1% and 4.9% and 4.6%, respectively.

As at the end of March, the number of employees was 11.3% smaller than in 2009 at the same time.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2009, the average monthly gross wages and salaries increased the most in manufacturing (4.1%) and decreased the most in financial and insurance activities (26.9%). The big decrease in the financial and insurance activities was caused by the significant decrease of payments to employees paid irregularly compared to the 1st quarter of 2009.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2009, the average hourly gross wages and salaries increased the most in agriculture, forestry and fishing (1.7%) and decreased the most in real estate activities (19.6%).

The average gross wages and salaries were 11,647 kroons in January, 11,749 kroons in February and 12,196 kroons in March.

In the 1st quarter of 2010, the employer’s average monthly labour costs per employee were 16,122 kroons and the average hourly labour costs were 107,43 kroons. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2009, the average monthly labour costs per employee and the average hourly labour costs decreased 2.4% and 4.3%, respectively.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2009, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased the most in mining and quarrying (4.0%), and decreased the most in financial and insurance activities (27.6%).

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2009, the average hourly labour costs increased the most in administrative and support service activities (2.4%) and decreased the most in financial and insurance activities (29.6%).

Statistics Estonia conducts the survey of wages and salaries statistics on the basis of international methodology since 1992. In 2010, the sample includes 11,685 enterprises, institutions and organisations. The average monthly gross wages and salaries have been given in full time units to enable a comparison of different wages and salaries, irrespective of the length of working time. Calculations of the monthly gross wages and salaries are based on payments for actually worked time and remuneration for time not worked. The hourly gross wages and salaries do not include remuneration for time not worked (holiday leave pay, benefits, etc.). In short term statistics, the average gross wages and salaries are measured as a component of labour costs. Labour costs include gross wages and salaries, employer’s contributions and employer’s imputed social contributions to employees.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries and monthly labour costs per employee, 1st quarter 2010

Average hourly gross wages and salaries and hourly labour costs, 1st quarter 2010