Statistics of wages usually relate to average gross money wages per wage earner expressed as average earnings or, in some cases, as wage rates. Unless otherwise stated, the series cover wage earners of both sexes, without distinction as to age. Data by sex are published whenever possible.

The data on average earnings, generally taken from establishment payrolls, usually cover cash payments received from employers (before deduction of taxes and social security contributions payable by workers), such as remuneration for normal working hours, overtime pay, incentive pay, earnings of piece-workers; remuneration for time not worked (annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave and other paid leave); bonuses and gratuities. In a few cases, average earnings are compiled on the basis of social insurance records; social insurance statistics usually yield lower averages than payroll data because overtime payments, incentive pay, etc., may be excluded, as well as wages exceeding a certain upper limit.

Wage rates are based on collective agreements, arbitration awards or decisions of wage-fixing authorities, which generally specify minimum rates for particular occupations or groups of workers. In some cases, wage rates are obtained from establishment surveys. Wage rates usually include basic wages, cost of living allowances and other guaranteed and regularly paid allowances, but exclude overtime payments, bonuses and gratuities, family allowance and other social security payments made by employers.

The definitions of earnings and wage rates as stated in the resolution adopted by the Twelfth International Conference of Labour Statisticians (Geneva, 1973) are given in the publication: Current international recommendations on labour statistics (Geneva, ILO, 1988).

Wages are expressed in national currency. In the tables, the currency shown next to the country name is the current one. In case of change of currency in a country, the equivalence between the old and new currencies is indicated by a footnote on the relevant year.

The different types of wage statistics are indicated in the tables by the following codes:

(E.G.): Earnings

(R.T.): Wage rates

Generally, only rates of pay for adults are taken into account; they relate to normal hours of work and do not therefore include payment for overtime, premiums, allowances, etc. Cost-of-living allowances are usually included.

For a detailed description of the series published in the Bulletin see Sources and Methods: Labour Statistics (formerly Statistical Sources and Methods). A technical guide to series published in the Bulletin of Labour Statistics and Yearbook of Labour Statistics. Vol. 2: "Employment, wages, hours of work and labour cost (establishment surveys)", second edition (Geneva, ILO, 1995); and Vol. 4: "Employment, unemployment, wages and hours of work (administrative records and related sources)" second edition (Geneva, ILO, 2004).

Unless otherwise indicated in footnotes, the series cover the divisions of economic activity listed below; in some cases, however, these divisions are only represented by certain of the groups composing them.

Table B7 (non-agricultural activities)

Mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas and water, construction; wholesale and retail trade, restaurants and hotels; transport, storage and communication; financing, insurance, real estate and business services; community, social and personal services; activities not adequately defined.

Table B8 (manufacturing)

Manufacturing.

For the explanation of signs and symbols used in the tables, click here.