Average salary tops 1,000 euros throughout the year for first time
In 2014, the average monthly gross wages and salaries were 1,005 euros and the average hourly gross wages and salaries were 6.14 euros, an increase of 5.9 percent and 7.2 respectively, compared to 2013.
Real wages, which take into account the influence of the change in the consumer price index, increased for the fourth year in a row following the decline in 2010, according to Statistics Estonia.
The salaries increased in all economic activities, but mostly in professional, scientific, technical, financial and insurance sectors. Information and communication business were slower to catch up, although the wages in this field still exceeded the national average 1.6 times.
The public sector commanded slightly higher average pay than the private one – 1,037 against 994 euros.
Relatively low salaries have caused an ongoing debate and dissatisfaction in the Estonian society, being one of the main reasons for emigration. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 Estonians live and earn higher salaries in Finland, Estonia's much wealthier neighbor.
Editor: S. Tambur