The average monthly salary in the national economy over January-April 2008 was 2,328 lei, an increase of 28% compared with the corresponding period last year, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting the National Bureau of Statistics. The real salary has risen by 11%, as compared with a 10% rise during January-April 2007. The average salary in the budgetary sphere was 1,816 lei, while in the real sector of the economy – 2,601 lei. The average remuneration this April was 2,462 lei, by 27% higher compared with last April. In the budgetary sphere, the average salary was 1,874 lei, while in the real sector – 2,771 lei. The highest salaries continue to be paid in the financial sector – 5,171.7 lei, in the energy industry and water supply sector – 4,042.1 lei, and in transport and communications – 3,464.8 lei on average. The employees working in agriculture, forestry and hunting receive an average salary of only 1,125.3 lei, in fish breeding – 1,251.2 lei, in education – 1,572.9 lei, in the culture and sport sector — 1,626 lei. Consumer prices in Moldova since the start of this year have gone up by 5.8%. Food products got dearer by 10.3%, non-food products by 1.2%, while services by 5.3%.