In the first quarter, the average wages and salaries were 1,741 euros, median 1,424 euros
According to Statistics Estonia, the average gross monthly wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2023 were 1,741 euros, which is 13.3% higher than at the same time last year. The median wages, however, were 1,424 euros. The average real wages in the first quarter of 2023 were 1,443 euros, 3.2% lower than last year.
Since the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Estonia has been using the data from the employment register of the Tax and Customs Board and the income and social tax declarations to publish the average wages and salaries. People working under employment contracts, the Civil Service Act*, and service contracts are included.
“The change in methodology now allows for the publication of median wage figures alongside the average wages and salaries. In addition, the predominantly register-based collection of data reduces the administrative burden for respondents,” said Argo Tarkiainen, an analyst at Statistics Estonia.
By economic activity, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in the first quarter were highest in information and communication (3,160 euros), financial and insurance activities (2,952 euros), and energy (2,435 euros). “They were lowest in accommodation and food service (1,124 euros), other service activities (1,142 euros), and real estate (1,209 euros),” Tarkiainen pointed out, adding that average wages and salaries increased the most in education (19.8%) and accommodation and food service activities (17.3%).
| Year | Quater | Average monthly gross wages and salaries, euros | Change on previous year, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | I | 1,536 | 9.2 |
| II | 1,666 | 12.9 | |
| III | 1,641 | 12.2 | |
| IV | 1,735 | 12.1 | |
| 2023 | I | 1,741 | 13.3 |
The average monthly gross wages and salaries continued to be highest in Harju (1,975 euros) and Tartu counties (1,730 euros) and lowest in Saare (1,316) and Valga counties (1,261 euros). Year on year, the biggest growth in wages and salaries was recorded in Valga (16.3%) and Tartu counties (14.1%).
Median wages, i.e. the point at which half of employees earn more and half earn less, were highest in the first quarter of 2023 in information and communication (2,661 euros), financial and insurance activities (2,395 euros), and in public administration and defence (2,100 euros). Median wages were lowest in accommodation and food service activities (984 euros), other service activities (892 euros), and real estate activities (813 euros).
Real wages, which take inflation into account and reflect people’s actual purchasing power, were 1,443 euros in the first quarter of this year, 3,2% lower than a year ago. „So we continue to see that wages and salaries are rising, but as price increases have outpaced wage increases, people's purchasing power is lower than a year ago. Compared with the last quarter of 2022, however, the decline in real wages has slowed,“ Tarkiainen explained.
* Excluding employees in the areas of governance of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior
More detailed data are published in the statistical database of Statistics Estonia.
For further information:
Helen Maria Raadik
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181
press [at] stat.ee (press[at]stat[dot]ee)
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