Industry & Business

Preliminary estimates released by the Central Statistics Office on Friday, November 25, show that average weekly earnings and average hourly total labour costs both rose by 0.2% in the third quarter of 2016 over the second quarter. Average hourly earnings increased by 0.3% during the same period.

The figures also showed that average weekly earnings rose by 1.2% compared with the same period previous year while average hourly total labour costs increased by only half a percentage point. Average weekly earnings were €701.87 in the third quarter, a rise of 1.2% from €693.57 one year earlier. Average weekly paid hours also rose in the third quarter of 2016, up 1.2% to 32.6, compared to the previous year.

While average weekly earnings were €701.87, the report found there were large variations in earnings across sectors. he highest average weekly earnings of €1,060.96 were in the Information and Communication sector, followed by the Financial, insurance and real estate sector at €990.70. The lowest average weekly earnings were €338.09 in the Accommodation and food services sector followed by €464.93 in the Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities sector.

The largest percentage increase for average weekly earnings was 5.7% in the Construction sector, from €699.76 to €739.92. Average weekly earnings rose by 4.9% in both the Professional, scientific and technical activities and the Accommodation and food services sectors between the third quarter of 2015 and 2016, rising from €796.14 to €835.22 and €322.31 to €338.09 respectively.
Both the Information and communication & Education sectors experienced an annual sectoral decrease of 0.9%, falling from €1,070.66 to €1,060.96 and €807.85 to €800.19 respectively.

Average hourly earnings increased in 9 of the 13 main sectors. The Accommodation and food services sectors had the largest increase in average hourly earnings of 3.1%, rising from €12.07 to €12.44 per hour in the year. The Education sector saw the largest annual fall in average hourly earnings, decreasing 2.0% from €34.31 to €33.63 per hour.

The sector with the highest average hourly total labour costs was the Education sector with a rate of €37.25, followed by the Information and communication sector at €35.88. The lowest earning sectors were the Accommodation and food service activities sector with average hourly earnings of €13.75 and the Arts, entertainment, recreation and other service activities sector with €19.29. The largest percentage increase in average hourly total labour costs was seen in the Accommodation and food services sector, rising by 2.9% from €13.36 to €13.75 per hour. The Education sector recorded the largest percentage decrease in average hourly total labour costs, decreasing by 1.6% from €37.86 to €37.25. Seasonally adjusted average hourly total labour costs increased by 0.2% in the quarter to Q3 2016.

The figures reported by the Central Statistics Office for earnings are gross amounts before deductions for PRSI, tax and other levies.