Average wages and salaries rose last year, while real wages fell
In 2022, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in Estonian companies, institutions, and organisations were 1,685 euros, which is 8.9% more than in 2021. However, the average real wages decreased by 8.8% to 1,358 euros last year.
Argo Tarkiainen, an analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that in particularly difficult economic conditions, it is worth monitoring not only the average but also the real wages. “Real wages, which are calculated taking into account the consumer price index, reflect purchasing power, i.e. the amount of goods and services that can be purchased for the wages earned. So we can see that while average wages and salaries are steadily increasing, people’s purchasing power is still lower than it was before the crisis,” Tarkiainen explained.
Over the year, average monthly gross wages and salaries were again highest in information and communication (3,035 euros), financial and insurance activities (2,708 euros), and energy (2,392 euros), while lowest in real estate (1,214 euros) and accommodation and food service activities (1,058 euros).
Average monthly wages and salaries increased the most in accommodation and food service activities (15.6%) and manufacturing (13.2%). Wage growth was slower in human health and social work (4.4%) and other service activities (1.2%).
|
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 |
|
2021 |
1,548 |
6.9 |
|
2022 |
1,685 |
8.9 |
Regionally, the average monthly gross wages and salaries in 2022 continued to be highest in Harju (1,834 euros) and Tartu counties (1,690 euros) and lowest in Valga (1,185 euros) and Hiiu counties (1,114 euros). The biggest wage growth was recorded Ida-Viru county (15.4%) and Põlva (13.8%) county, whereas average monthly gross wages and salaries decreased in Valga (1.6%) and Hiiu counties (6.7%).
In the fourth quarter of last year, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 1,775 euros, which is 9.2% higher than in the same quarter of 2021. The average real wages in the fourth quarter of 2022 were 1,413 euros, 9.3% lower than in the same period a year earlier.
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 are published in the wages and salaries and labour costs section on our website.
For further information:
Helen Maria Raadik
Media Relations Manager
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9181
press [at] stat.ee