The gross nominal average monthly salary at the real sector units with four and more salary earners and at all the public sector institutions in the first quarter of this year was 8,468.6 lei. The figure is by 10.9% higher than in the corresponding period last year and by 4.4% lower than in the fourth quarter of 2020. The highest average monthly pays in the first quarter were reported in the ICT sector – 19,914.5 lei, IPN reports.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the ICT sector is followed by financial and insurance activities with average monthly salaries of 15,428.9 lei, and electricity, heat, gas, hot water and air conditioning production and supply with pays of 12,243.0 lei.

The lowers earnings were reported in agriculture, forestry and fishing – 4,835.7 lei, arts, recreation and entertaining activities – 5,908.4 lei and accommodation and public eating facilities – 5,105.0 lei.

Compared with the first quarter of 2020, this year the pays rose in most of the economic sectors. The salaries in health and social assistance grew by 50.2%, in financing and insurance – by 12.4%, in information and communication technology – by 12%.

The average monthly pay in the public sector in the first quarter of this year was 7,463.0 lei (+5.3% on the first quarter of 2020), while in the real sector – 8,839.8 lei (+12.8% on the first quarter of 2020).

At the start of this year, the average number of salary earners remained practically the same as in the first quarter of last year (down 0.2%). In some of the economic activities the number of employees fluctuated considerably.