Average monthly gross wages and salaries increased despite the difficult year
According to Statistics Estonia, in 2020, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 1,448 euros, which is 2.9% higher than the year before. It has been ten years since the annual growth in wages and salaries was so modest. Since 2011, the annual growth rate has steadily been over 5% and has even risen above 7% in several years.
The average monthly gross wages and salaries were the highest in Harju county (1,588 euros) and Tartu county (1,447 euros), and the lowest in Hiiu county (1,063 euros) and Valga county (1,106 euros). Compared to 2019, the average gross wages and salaries increased the most in Lääne-Viru, Põlva and Järva counties, while the biggest decrease was recorded in Lääne and Pärnu counties.
| Year | Average monthly gross wages and salaries, euros | Change on previous year, % |
|---|---|---|
|
2010 |
792 |
1.1 |
|
2011 |
839 |
5.9 |
|
2012 |
887 |
5.7 |
|
2013 |
949 |
7 |
|
2014 |
1,005 |
5.9 |
|
2015 |
1,065 |
6 |
|
2016 |
1,146 |
7.6 |
|
2017 |
1,221 |
6.5 |
|
2018 |
1,310 |
7.3 |
|
2019 |
1,407 |
7.4 |
|
2020 |
1,448 |
2.9 |
Karina Valma, leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that wages and salaries rose in most economic activities despite the difficult year. “The increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries was the biggest in information and communication (9.9%) and in professional, scientific and technical activities (8%). There were three economic activities where average wages did still decline: most sharply in trade (9.7%) and also in accommodation and food services (4.9%) and in arts and entertainment (2.2%),” said Valma.
The average wages and salaries were again the highest in information and communication (2,574 euros), in financial and insurance activities (2,461 euros) and in energy (2,118 euros). The economic activities with the lowest average wages were real estate activities (1,050 euros) and accommodation and food service activities (860 euros).
In the public sector, the average monthly gross wages and salaries rose by 2.5% in 2020 and reached 1,563 euros. The corresponding increase in the private sector was 2.2%, with average wages amounting to 1,399 euros in 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2020, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 1,515 euros, which is 2.9% higher than in the same quarter in 2019.
The statistics are based on the questionnaire “Wages and salaries and labour force”. For the statistical activity “Wages and salaries”, the main representative of public interest is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
See also the dedicated section on wages and salaries and labour costs.
For further information:
Kadri Kütt
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181