According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2009, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 12,147 kroons and the hourly gross wages and salaries were 76.53 kroons. Compared to the 1st quarter of the previous year, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were by 1.5% lower and the average hourly gross wages and salaries were by 2.4% higher. Since 1993, the average monthly gross wages and salaries decreased for the first time as compared to the same quarter of the previous year.