Analytics, Latvia, Wages

Considering the consumer price growth that constituted 1.4%, the real increase of the wages and salaries comprised 1.3%.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries by sectors (in lats)

Compared to the third quarter of 2008, in the fourth quarter of 2008 the largest increase was in education – by 19.1%, in mining and quarrying – by 5.6%, in public, social and personal services – by 4.8% and in financial intermediation – by 4.4%. In several sectors wages and salaries decreased during this period, for example, in electricity, gas and water supply – they dropped by 6.2%, in hotels and restaurants – by 5.0%, in public administration – by 2.3%.

In the 4^th quarter of 2008, compared to the 4^th quarter of 2007, wages and salaries increased from 446 to 500 lats or by 12.0%. In public sector the increase comprised 7.6% (from 564 to 607 lats), but in private sector – 13.8% (from 392 to 446 lats).

Average net monthly wage in this period increased by 14.1% and reached 366 lats. Considering the consumer price growth that constituted 12.0%, the real increase of the wages and salaries comprised 1.9%.

Changes of average gross monthly wages and salaries in public and private sector over the corresponding period of previous year (%)

In the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007, gross wages and salaries increased most rapidly in the following sectors: transport, storage and communication – from 455 to 547 lats or by 20.3%, real estate, renting and business activities – from 453 to 528 lats or by 16.6%, fishing – from 286 to 326 lats or by 13.9%, in health and social work – from 443 to 501 lat or by 13.0% and manufacturing – from 379 to 429 lats or by 13.0%. In its turn, in public administration average monthly wages and salaries slightly decreased - from 676 to 672 lats or by 0.6%.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries by kind of activity (in lats)

In 2008, compared to 2007, average monthly wages and salaries increased from 398 to 480 lats or by 20.7%. More rapidly wages and salaries increased in private sector – by 21.2% (from 362 to 438 lats), in public sector the growth comprised 18.9% (from 477 to 567 lats).

In 2008, compared to 2007, average monthly net wages and salaries increased by 22.7% and reached 351 lat. Considering the consumer price growth that constituted 15.4%, the real increase of the wages and salaries comprised 6.3%

Among the Baltic States the highest gross wages and salaries in the 4^th quarter of 2008, just like in previous quarters, were in Estonia – EUR 838, in Latvia – EUR 711, in Lithuania – EUR 672.

Compared to the 4^th quarter of 2007, in the 4^th quarter of 2008 Lithuania witnessed the highest increase – by 13.0%, Latvia – by 12.0%, and Estonia – only by 6.9%.

Average monthly gross wages and salaries in Baltic States (in euros)

More information on wages and salaries in Latvia can be found in the data base of the Central Statistical Bureau.

¹⁾ Public sector is state and local government commercial companies, as well as companies with state or local government part of capital 50% and more, foundations, associations and funds, and their commercial activities. Data on foundations, associations and funds and their commercial activities are not included in information.

²⁾ Data are updated.