Wage growth for full-time workers in Hungary slowed to an annual 9% in March, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said. Wage growth slowed for the fourth month in a row. In absolute terms, the average gross monthly wage stood at 400,400 forints (EUR 1,147).
The average net wage was 266,300 forints. Excluding the 76,900 Hungarians in fostered work programmes — who earned an average gross 83,100 forints in March — the average gross monthly wage in Hungary was 409,400 forints.
The average gross wage in the business sector, which includes state-owned companies, rose by 9% to 419,000 forints. The average gross wage in the public sector, excluding fostered workers, increased by 7.1% to 388,000 forints.
ING Bank senior analyst Péter Virovácz said headline wage growth was likely to remain around 8-9% in spite of layoffs. But the data do not show the full picture, he added, as Hungarians working reduced hours in light of the coronavirus crisis are not included in the statistics.
Takarékbank chief analyst András Horváth said wage growth was expected to be just over 7% this year. The pace of growth is affected by more people looking for work, weaker bargaining positions for job-starters and lower wages in hard-hit sectors, as well as by statutory minimum wage increases and labour shortages that remain in some sectors of the economy.
MTI
