On changes of wages and salaries in 1st quarter of 2012
Data of the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that wages and salaries, retaining the trend of the previous year, also at the beginning of this year have increased, nevertheless growth rate, if compared to the previous year, has reduced (in 2011 wages and salaries on average grew by 4.4%).
In the 1st quarter of 2012 the average monthly gross wages and salaries in the country comprised by LVL 467, and, in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year, wages and salaries have grown by LVL 17 or 3.7%. In public sector wages and salaries during a year have increased by 3.1% (from LVL 474 to LVL 488), of which in general government sector by 1.9% (from LVL 441 to LVL 449), whereas in private sector the rise was more rapid - 4.2% (from LVL 435 to LVL 453).
Compared to the 4th quarter of 2011, the average gross wages and salaries in the country in the 1st quarter of this year have decreased by LVL 9 or 1.8%. In public sector reduction comprised 3.6% (from LVL 507 to LVL 488), of which in general government sector – 3.0% (from LVL 463 to LVL 449) and in private sector – 0.8% (from LVL 457 to LVL 453).
| Average monthly gross wages and salaries by sector (LVL) |
 |
In comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year, the most notable rise of average monthly gross wages and salaries in the 1st quarter of 2012 was recorded in financial and insurance activities – of 7.6%, in transport and storage – of 6.3%, in trade – of 5.5%, in accommodation and food service activities – of 5.2%, as well as in information and communication – of 4.9%.
Rise in financial and insurance activities was noticeably influenced by increase of irregular payments, while regular wages and salaries during this period grew by 4.7%. Also in accommodation and food service activities sector regular wages and salaries increased slower – by 4.1%, while information and communication sector witnessed reduction of 2.1%.
Average monthly gross wages and salaries in manufacturing have increased by 4.4%, while in construction – by 4.0%.
Whereas reduction of wages and salaries during this period was observed in real estate activities – of 2.3%, as well as in education – of 0.4%.
Average monthly gross wages and salaries by main kind of economic activity (LVL)
| 1st qtr 2011 | 2nd qtr 2011 | 3rd qtr 2011 | 4th qtr 2011 | 1st qtr 2012 | Changes, % | |
1st qtr 2012 over 1st qtr 2011 | 1st qtr 2012 over 4th qtr 2011 | ||||||
Total | 450 | 463 | 467 | 475 | 467 | 3.7 | -1.8 |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 423 | 438 | 462 | 470 | 429 | 1.4 | -8.8 |
Mining and quarrying | 510 | 523 | 504 | 537 | 518 | 1.5 | -3.6 |
Manufacturing | 409 | 422 | 432 | 440 | 427 | 4.4 | -3.1 |
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 622 | 672 | 741 | 642 | 627 | 0.8 | -2.3 |
Water supply; sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities | 456 | 491 | 479 | 498 | 474 | 3.8 | -5.0 |
Construction | 420 | 428 | 446 | 449 | 436 | 4.0 | -2.9 |
Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles | 379 | 390 | 394 | 401 | 400 | 5.5 | -0.2 |
Transport and storage | 481 | 509 | 501 | 524 | 511 | 6.3 | -2.6 |
Accommodation and food service activities | 296 | 299 | 307 | 298 | 312 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
Information and communication | 768 | 758 | 787 | 804 | 805 | 4.9 | 0.1 |
Financial and insurance activities | 953 | 964 | 960 | 989 | 1025 | 7.6 | 3.6 |
Real estate activities | 397 | 397 | 400 | 404 | 388 | -2.3 | -3.8 |
Professional, scientific and technical activities | 576 | 599 | 593 | 594 | 600 | 4.1 | 1.1 |
Administrative and support service activities | 418 | 425 | 432 | 441 | 422 | 1.0 | -4.3 |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security | 530 | 539 | 544 | 573 | 548 | 3.3 | -4.5 |
Education | 394 | 410 | 399 | 400 | 393 | -0.4 | -1.6 |
Health and social work | 421 | 447 | 442 | 448 | 433 | 2.7 | -3.4 |
Arts, entertainment and recreation | 377 | 397 | 386 | 392 | 384 | 1.9 | -1.9 |
Other service activities | 376 | 372 | 386 | 399 | 393 | 4.7 | -1.5 |
Compared to the 1st quarter of 2011, the highest rise of wages and salaries in the 1st quarter of 2012, if to compare all three Baltic States, was recorded in Estonia – of 6.9% (from EUR 792 to EUR 847), in Latvia increase constituted 3.7% (from EUR 640 to EUR 664), whereas in Lithuania - 3.2% (from EUR 600 to EUR 619).
In comparison with the neighbouring countries, where labour force taxes are lower, in the 1st quarter of this year, ratio of the net wages and salaries to the gross wages and salaries in Latvia is the lowest – 71% (net wages – EUR 473). The highest indicator was observed in Estonia - 80% (EUR 677), and in Lithuania it comprised 78% (EUR 481).
More information on wages and salaries in Latvia is available in the CSB data base.
___________________
Explanations:
Data source: sample survey of individual merchants, commercial companies, State and local government institutions, foundations, associations and funds as well as administrative data sources.
Public sector is central and local government institutions and commercial companies, commercial companies with central or local government capital participation 50% and over, as well as foundations, associations and funds, and their commercial companies. The information does not include the data on foundations, associations and funds and their commercial companies.
According to the European System of Accounts (ESA 95) the general government sector includes central and local government institutions, the social security fund, enterprises controlled and financed by the central and local governments.
The changes of average monthly wages and salaries are calculated as rounded values, i.e., considering the value in santims.
Prepared by the Wage Statistics Section
Lija Luste
Tel. 67366917