In the 1st quarter the average monthly gross wages (salaries) grew
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the irregular bonuses and premiums per employee grew 20.5% and influenced the growth of the average monthly gross wages and salaries by 0.5 percentage points. The average monthly gross wages and salaries without irregular bonuses and premiums increased 6.4%.
The real wages which took into account the influence of the change in the consumer price index and which shows the purchasing power of wages and salaries, increased 2.4% in the 1st quarter of 2012. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the real wages increased for the third quarter in succession.
According to the Wages and Salaries Statistics Survey, the number of employees increased by 4.6% compared to the same period of 2011.
The average hourly gross wages and salaries were 5.16 euros and increased by 6.0% compared to the 1st quarter of the previous year.
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries increased the most in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (12.7% and 15.0%, respectively).
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries decreased only in transportation and storage activities (0.6% and 1.1%, respectively). At the end of March, 54% of employees of this economic activity worked in enterprises with less than 50 employees and their wages decreased, which caused the fall in the wages and salaries of the whole economic activity.
The average gross wages and salaries were 839 euros in January, 817 euros in February and 886 euros in March.
In the 1st quarter of 2012, the employer’s average monthly labour costs per employee were 1,148 euros and the average hourly labour costs were 7.39 euros. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased by 6.8% and the average hourly labour costs by 5.7%.
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the average monthly labour costs per employee and the average hourly labour costs increased the most in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (13.6% and 12.8%, respectively).
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the average monthly labour costs per employee and the average hourly labour costs decreased only in transportation and storage activities (0.7% and 1.6%, respectively).
Statistics Estonia conducts the survey of wages and salaries statistics on the basis of international methodology since 1992. In 2012, the sample includes 11,523 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.| Year | 1st quarter | 2nd quarter | 3rd quarter | 4th quarter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 825 | 788 | 850 | 800 | 838 |
| 2009 | 784 | 776 | 813 | 752 | 783 |
| 2010 | 792 | 758 | 822 | 759 | 814 |
| 2011 | 792 | 857 | 809 | 865 | |
| 2012 | 847 |
Average monthly gross wages and salaries and monthly labour costs per employee, 1st quarter 2012
Average hourly gross wages and salaries and hourly labour costs, 1st quarter 2012
