The average number of employees in 2021 increased by over 21,000 compared to 2020, show data of the National Bureau of Statistics, according to which the best paying jobs are in IT, but also financial and insurance activities.

At the other end, the worst paid are the activities of accommodation and public catering, agriculture and forestry. The NBS data also show that women are paid less than men for the same jobs.

The nominal average gross monthly salary of a Moldovan employee in 2021 was 8,979 lei, an increase of 13.1% (or 1,036 lei) compared to 2020. The average net salary in 2021 was 7,634 lei, 15.4% (or 1,018 lei) more than in 2020. The best paying jobs are in: information and communication technologies – 22,137.7 lei; financial and insurance activities – 15,746.9 lei; production and supply of electricity and thermal energy, gas, hot water and air conditioning – 13,739.8 lei. At the same time, the lowest monthly salary values were registered in the activities of accommodation and public catering – 5,249.9 lei; agriculture, forestry and fishing – 5,691.1 lei; art, recreation and leisure activities – 6,269.1 lei.

Men are privileged at work, they earn higher wages than women in most economic activities, the biggest differences being found in the fields of: finance and insurance - with 41.4% (8,953.3 lei) more to men; information and communication technologies – by 39.2% (10,366.7 lei) more; industry – by 20.0% (1,820.7 lei) more.

Women earn higher wages than men only in administrative services and support services activities - by 9.3% (603.9 lei) more; education – by 3.5% (253.6 lei) more.

The data is part of the annual survey “Wage earnings and the cost of labor in 2021”. It does not cover the Transnistrian region.