In the 1st quarter average monthly and hourly gross wages increased in all economic activities

The 4th quarter of 2012 was the last time when average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries increased in all economic activities. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the increase in average monthly gross wages and salaries in the 1st quarter of 2014 was slightly slower than in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters of 2013. The average monthly gross wages and salaries without irregular bonuses and premiums increased 7.1%. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, irregular bonuses and premiums increased 11.2% per employee and influenced the rise in average monthly gross wages by 0.2 percentage points.

Real wages, which take into account the influence of the change in the consumer price index, increased 6.7% in the 1st quarter of 2014. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, real wages increased for the eleventh quarter in succession.

According to the Wages and Salaries Statistics Survey, the number of employees as at the end of March was 2.5% higher than at the same time in 2013.

In the 1st quarter of 2014 compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, the average monthly gross wages and salaries increased the most in agriculture, forestry and fishing (14.7%) and the average hourly gross wages and salaries increased the most in transportation and storage (12.6%).

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, the average monthly and hourly gross wages and salaries increased the least in information and communication – by 2.9% and 1.6%, respectively.

The average gross wages and salaries were 944 euros in January, 948 euros in February and 1,003 euros in March.

In the 1st quarter of 2014, the employer’s average monthly labour costs per employee were 1,305 euros and the average hourly labour costs were 8.56 euros. Compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased by 7.0% and the average hourly labour costs per employee by 6.6%.

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased the most in agriculture, forestry and fishing (14.5%) and the average hourly labour costs per employee increased the most in transportation and storage (14.3%).

Compared to the 1st quarter of 2013, the average monthly labour costs per employee increased the least in information and communication (1.1%). Average hourly labour costs per employee in information and communication remained the same.

Statistics Estonia conducts the Wages and Salaries Statistics Survey on the basis of an international methodology since 1992. In 2014 the sample includes 11,920 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.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries and monthly labour costs per employee,
1st quarter 2014

Average hourly gross wages and salaries and hourly labour costs per employee,
1st quarter 2014