Wage index, Q1 2003, preliminary figures

The reference value will from the 1st quarter of 2003 be based on the average of the quarters in 2000, to be 2000=100.

The increase in monthly earnings for employees in the construction industry was 0.2 per cent from the 4th quarter 2002 to the 1st quarter 2003. The corresponding growth for employees in transport and communication was 1.0 per cent in the same period. Employees in wholesale and retail trade received an 0.5 increase in their monthly earnings from the 4th quarter 2002 to the 1st quarter 2003, the employees in electricity supply had a growth of 0.5 per cent, while the corresponding growth for employees in real estate and business activities was 0.4 per cent in the same period.

Change over a year

Employees in the construction industry had a 5.7 per cent growth in monthly earnings from the 1st quarter 2002 to the 1st quarter 2003. The corresponding growth for employees in electricity supply was 7.2 per cent, while employees in transport and communication had 4.8 per cent. Monthly earnings for employees in wholesale and retail trade increased by 4.2 per cent in the same period. Those in real estate and business activities had a growth in monthly earnings of 4.1 per cent from the 1st quarter 2002 to the 1st quarter 2003.

Sample

The sample for the 1st quarter of 2003 includes approximately 204 100 full-time employees, broken down into 74 800 in manufacturing, 23 700 in construction, 47 600 in transport and communication, 28 000 in wholesale and retail trade, 27 800 in real estate and business activities and 2 200 in electricity supply. By comparison, the preliminary figures in the national accounts for the 1st quarter of 2002 show that about 26 000 persons are employed in oil and gas extraction and mining, 288 000 in manufacturing, 110 000 in construction, 117 000 in transport and communication, 304 000 in wholesale and retail trade, 209 000 in real estate and business activities and 15 000 in electricity supply. The figures from the national accounts also include part-time employees.

Tables:

• Table 1 Index on average monthly earnings in manufacturing, oil and gas extraction and mining, construction, transport and communication, wholesale and retail trade, real estate and business activities and electricity supply. Average of year 2000=100 (Corrected 26 June 2003)
• Table 2 Changes in average monthly earnings from the corresponding quarter the year before, by industry. Per cent (Corrected 26 June 2003)
• Table 3 Index on average basic paid salaries in manufacturing, oil and gas extraction and mining, construction, transport and communication, wholesale and retail trade, real estate and business activities and electricity supply. Average of year 2000=100 (Corrected 26 June 2003)
• Table 4 Changes in average basic paid salaries from the corresponding quarter the year before, by industry. Per cent (Corrected 26 June 2003)