Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2020, the average monthly salary increased by EUR 121 or 10.4 %, but the hourly wage before taxes - by 4.4 % (from EUR 8.09 to EUR 8.44).
In the 3rd quarter 2021, the average monthly gross salary increased by 3.4 % compared to the 2nd quarter, while hourly wages decreased by 1.6 %.
Average net wages and salaries (calculated based on labour taxes applicable on workplace) comprised EUR 940 or 73.4 % of the gross salary. It increased by 10.3 % during the year. The real increase in net wages and salaries, taking into account the rise in consumer prices, was 6.3 %.
Median wage 1,003 euros, public sector wages grew faster than private sector
The median gross wages and salaries for a full-time job in the 3rd quarter 2021 was EUR 1 003. Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2020 (EUR 917), wages and salaries in the country increased by 9.3 %. In the 3rd quarter of this year, net median wages and salaries after taxes (net) constituted EUR 749 and rose by 8.1 % over the year.
The median is the average in the middle of the ascending or descending order of wages of the workers, i.e., half of the wages are higher than the median and the other half are lower. As median, compared to the mean arithmetic earnings, is not influenced by extremely high or low wages and salaries, it reflects typical earnings more precisely.
In the 3rd quarter of 2021, the average monthly gross salary in the private sector was EUR 1280, and it increased by 10.4 % during the year. In public sector, the average salary was EUR 1 287, growing at a slightly faster annual rate (10.9 %). General government sector, which includes central and local government institutions, as well as enterprises controlled and financed by the central and local government, average wages and salaries increased to EUR 1 260 or by 11.9 %.
Compared to the 2nd quarter, in private sector average gross wages and salaries rose by 5.3 %, while in public and general government sector decreased– by 0.3 % and 0.6 %, respectively.
Changes of average monthly gross salaries by sectors (EUR)
|
3rd quarter of 2020 |
1st quarter of 2021 |
2nd quarter of 2021 |
3rd quarter of 2021 |
3rd quarter of 2021Changes, as per cent over |
|
3rd quarter of 2020 |
2nd quarter of 2021 |
|||||
Total |
1 159 |
1 206 |
1 237 |
1 280 |
10.4 |
3.4 |
private sector |
1 160 |
1 207 |
1 215 |
1 280 |
10.4 |
5.3 |
public sector |
1 161 |
1 211 |
1 291 |
1 287 |
10.9 |
-0.3 |
general government sector |
1 125 |
1 181 |
1 268 |
1 260 |
11.9 |
-0.6 |
Wages and salaries in Latgale 36 % less than in Riga
In the 3rd quarter 2021 the highest average salary before taxes for full-time work was in Riga - EUR 1427, while the lowest - in Latgale (EUR 912), which is 36 % less than in the capital of the country.
Over the year, average gross wages and salaries grew fastest in Latgale - by 13.0 %, while the lowest increase was in Vidzeme (9.5 %).
In the Baltic States, the highest average gross salary in the 3rd quarter 2021 was EUR 1 598 for full-time work in Lithuania, EUR 1 553 in Estonia and EUR 1 280 in Latvia.
Compared to the 3rd quarter of 2020, the average wages and salaries grew fastest in Latvia - by 10.4 %, in Lithuania by 9.9 % and in Estonia by 7.8 %.