site.btaQ1 Average Monthly Wage at 1,077 Leva, Down 1.6% on Q4 of 2017

Sofia, May 14 (BTA) - In the first quarter of 2018 compared with the last quarter of 2017 the average monthly wage and salary decreased by 1.6 per cent to 1,077 leva, according to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute. The average gross monthly wage and salary was 1,075 leva in January, 1,049 leva in February and 1,107 leva in March.

The largest decrease in wages and salaries was reported for real estate activities (12.1 per cent), education (11.0 per cent) and wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (7.1 per cent).

Compared to a year earlier, in the first quarter of 2018 the average monthly wages and salaries rose by 7.1 per cent. Growth was largest in mining and quarrying (14.4 per cent), education (12.2 per cent) and construction (10.5 per cent).

The economic activities with the highest wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2018 were information and communication (2,584 leva), financial and insurance activities (1,801 leva), and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (1,721 leva).

The lowest wages and salaries were reported for accommodation and food service
activities (655 leva), other service activities (768 leva) and construction (820 leva).

Compared to a year earlier, in the first quarter of 2018 the average monthly wages and salaries rose by 9.0 per cent in the public sector and by 6.6 per cent in the private sector.

At the end of March 2018, the employees working under labour contract were 2.31 million, 35,200 (1.5 per cent) more than in the end of December 2017.

Compared to a year earlier, at the end of March 2018 the employees under labour contract increased by 34,500 (1.5 per cent). The largest increase in absolute terms was reported for manufacturing (6,400), accommodation and food service activities (5,200) and construction (4,900). The decrease was largest in real estate activities (1,000). In percentages, the increase was largest in accommodation and food service activities (5.1 per cent) and information and communication (5.0 per cent). The largest decrease was reported for real estate activities (4.3 per cent).