Sofia, February 14 (BTA) - In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage was 1,612 leva, up by 6.1 per cent from the previous quarter, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute.

The average gross monthly wage was 1,581 leva in October, 1,579 leva in November and 1,676 leva in December 2021.

Compared to the last quarter of 2020, wages from the same period in 2021 grew by 14.4 per cent in the public sector and by 11.4 per cent in the private sector.

The highest growth rates were recorded in: 'Human health and social work activities' (15.1 per cent), 'Education' (14.6 per cent), and 'Manufacturing' (7.4 per cent). The highest shrink rates were recorded in 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (3.4 per cent) and in 'Accommodation and food service activities' (0.5 per cent).

In the last quarter of 2021, the average monthly wage grew by 12.2 per cent compared to the same period of 2020, with the largest increase being observed in 'Arts, entertainment and recreation' (23.5 per cent), 'Human health and social work activities' (18.9 per cent), and 'Accommodation and food service activities' (18.8 per cent).

In the last quarter of 2021, the economic activities with the highest average monthly salary were: 'Creation and dissemination of information and creative products; telecommunications' (3,856 leva), 'Production and distribution of electricity and heat and gaseous fuels' (2,383 leva), 'Financial and insurance activities' (2,377 leva).

The lowest paid employees worked in: 'Accommodation and food service activities' (935 leva), 'Other service activities' (1,044 leva), 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' (1,122 leva).

At the end of December 2021, the number of employed personnel dropped by 16,200, or by 0,7 per cent compared to the end of September 2021, reaching 2.27 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2021, the most significant decrease in new employees was registered in 'Accommodation and food service activities', by 10.2 per cent./MY/NZ