The average monthly salary in the national economy during the first seven months of this year increased by 23% compared with the corresponding period last year, up to 1 939 lei. The real salary rose by 10%. The average pay in the budget-funded sector was 1 585 lei, while in the real sector of the economy – 2 126 lei. The highest average salaries were paid in the financial sector - 4 270 lei or by 15.1% higher on January-July 2006, in the energy sector – 3 312 lei or by 23.7% higher, in transport and communications – 2 843 lei or by 8.3% higher, in mining industry – 2 845 lei or by 23.4% higher, in construction sector – 2 816 lei or by 29.9% higher. The lowest average salary in the first seven months of this year was paid in agriculture - 929 lei or by 29.8% lower compared with the same period last year. The average pay in fish breeding was 1 231 lei (+15.3%), in industry – 2 392 lei (+22.2%), in processing industry – 2 196 lei (+21.4%), in food industry – 2 167 lei (+21.5%), in beverages industry – 1 820 lei (+21.3%), in retail and wholesale trade – 1 862 lei (+36.7%), in hotel sector – 1 650 lei (+25.6%), in transactions with real estate – 2 401 lei (+28.8%), in public administration – 2 374 lei (+28.3%). The average salary in education was 1 317 lei or by 5.5% higher compared with last year. In healthcare, the average pay was 1 586 lei or by 23% higher. The average salary in July 2007 was 2 144 lei or by 22% higher than in July 2006. In the budgetary sphere the average salary was 1 770 lei, and in the real sector – 2 308 lei.