Average net earnings reach new record high in Romania

The average net earnings in Romania, which include wages, bonuses and vouchers, increased by 1% in April compared to the previous month, reaching a new historic high of RON 2,366 (EUR 522). The previous record was reported in December 2016, when the average net earnings amounted to RON 2,354 (EUR 521). However, the annual growth pace slowed down in April reaching 13.4%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INS). By comparison, the average net earnings saw an annual growth of 18.4% in January, 14.7% in February, and 14.2% in March. The IT services sector paid the highest average net wage in April, namely RON 5,968 (EUR 1,308), more than double the national average. Besides the IT sector, the net average earnings exceeded EUR 1,000 in insurance activities, banks, extraction of crude oil and natural gas, and air transport. At the other end, the lowest average net earnings were in the furniture industry, clothing industry, and hotels and restaurants. On February 1, the Government increased the minimum gross wage by 16% from RON 1,250 (EUR 274) to RON 1,450 (EUR 317.5). editor@romania-insider.com