The average gross monthly wage for full-time workers in Latvia was EUR 1,685 last year, which was an increase of 9.7% (EUR 149) against 2023, the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) has reported.
The average gross wage in the private sector rose by 8.7% in 2024 to EUR 1,666, while the gross wage in the public sector grew by 12.2% to EUR 1,742.
The CSB says that the education sector was the biggest contributor toward gross wage growth in the public sector. It represents 1/3 of all jobs in the public sector, and average wage growth last year was 18.5% in that sector.
Average earnings in the general government sector, which includes central and local government institutions, as well as state and local government owned enterprises, rose by 12% last year to EUR 1,689.
The average net wage is calculated on the basis of labour taxes which are applicable to each workplace, and in 2024 it was EUR 1,221, or 72.4% of the gross wage. Average net wages during the course of the year increased by 9%, but inflation means that the real net wage growth was only at 7.6%.
In terms of areas of the economy, the sharpest increase in average earnings was registered in the field of education (17%), administrative and support services (14.3%, with more notable increases in employment activities), as well as other service activities which include areas of religion, politics, membership organisations, computer and equipment repair, washing and dry-cleaning of textiles and furs, hairdressing and other beauty treatments, funeral and related activities, as well as other personal services (13.7%).
Average gross monthly earnings in full-time units were above the national average in 2024. In the field of financial and insurance activities, the earnings amounted to EUR 2,851, in the information and communications sector EUR 2,733, in the field of processional, scientific and technical activities EUR 2,214, in the energy sector EUR 2,122, in public administration and defence EUR 1,975, in mining and quarrying EUR 1,877), in human health and social work activities EUR 1,758, as well as in water, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities EUR 1,687.
Source: BNS
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