Analytics, Financial Services, Lithuania, Wages

Average gross monthly earnings in the whole economy in 2009 amounted to LTL 2056 and, compared to the previous year, decreased by 4.4%; in the public sector – to LTL 2285.6 and, compared to 2008, decreased by 2.1%; in the private sector – to LTL 1915.5 and decreased by 6.9% per year.

The decrease of earnings in the public sector in 2009 was conditioned by a reduced basic rate applied to monthly wages of politicians, judges, public officials and civil servants, reduced coefficients of basic salaries, bonuses for qualification, basic monthly wage, bonuses and premiums paid to the employees of budgetary institutions and organizations and decreased irregular payments.

Most noticeably, average gross monthly earnings in the whole economy in 2009, compared to the previous year, decreased in construction (23.4%), mining and quarrying (11.9%), public administration and defence, compulsory social security (9.5%), of which legislative and executive activities of central administration institutions (10.6% or LTL 460) and in enterprises of real estate activities (8.6%).

The most noticeable decrease was observed in counties of Telšiai (6.8%), Alytus (6.3%), Marijampolė and Šiauliai (5%) and in the municipalities of Jonava region (14.6%) and Plungė region (10.7%).

Average net monthly earnings in the whole economy in 2009 amounted to LTL 1602, in the public sector – LTL 1769.6 and in the private sector – LTL 1499.4. Average net monthly earnings in 2009, compared to 2008, decreased by 3% in the whole economy, 0.8% in the public sector, 5.3% in the private sector. A slower decrease in net earnings has been affected by a reduced tax on individual income (from 24 to 15%) since 1 January 2009.

Average number of employees in the whole economy in 2009 amounted to 1154.5 thousand, in private sector – 737, in public sector – 417.5 thousand and, compared to 2008, decreased in the whole economy by 11.3%, in private sector – by 15.6%, in public sector – by 2.6%.

The number of employees decreased mostly in relation to unfavourable economic conditions, bankruptcy of enterprises and reorganization.  

Table 1. Average number of employees and its changes according to sectors in 2008 and 2009

Table 2. Average monthly earnings and indices in 2008 and 2009

Table 3. Minimum rates*, their changes and consumer price index in 2008 and 2009

^* Rates approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania.

Average number of employees and average gross monthly earnings by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) in 2008 and 2009

Table 4. Average number of employees, average monthly earnings and indices by county in 2009