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Based on provisional data, in the 1^st quarter of 2023, the hourly labour costs (total cost) increased by 5,0%, compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

The two main components of labour costs, wages and salaries per hour worked and non-wage costs per hour worked increased by 5,2% and 4,3% respectively, compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

It is noted that, in this publication a new base year, 2020, is adopted (2020=100). In addition, new assumptions were adopted for the estimation of the variables, in accordance with the methodology used, based on the results of the Labour Cost Survey with reference year 2020.

Note: From the 1st quarter of 2022 onwards, data are provisional.

The hourly labour cost (total cost), seasonally adjusted, increased by 1,7% compared to the previous quarter. The hourly labour cost that refers to wages and salaries, seasonally adjusted, increased by 1,6% and the non-wage cost, seasonally adjusted, increased by 2,2%.

Note: Due to rounding reasons, the calculation of the change may differ from the percentage change presented in the table.

Methodological Information

Index Identity

The Labour Cost Index is one of the principal European economic indicators produced by all the countries of the European Union on the basis of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1216/2003 implementing Regulation (EC) No 430/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Labour Cost Index. The indicator is used as an indication of the inflationary pressure that may result from developments in the labour market.

Data Coverage

The Index covers all economic activities except Section A: Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Section T: Activities of households as employers and Section U: Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies.

All employees recorded at the Social Insurance Services’ Records are covered. Excluded are those employees who report a gross salary that is less than 50% of the minimum salary as determined in the decree issued by the Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance. Excluded also, are salaries in excess of €20,000 per month.

Definitions

Labour Cost Index shows the short-term development of the total cost, on an hourly basis, for employers of employing the labour force.

The Labour Cost Index is compiled as a 'chain-linked Laspeyres cost-index' using a common index reference period (2020 = 100). The Index is presented both in non-seasonally adjusted and in seasonally adjusted form.

Besides the total labour cost, two additional indices are presented, breaking down each component of total labour cost:

(a) 'Wages and Salaries', that refer to gross wages and salaries, and

(b) 'Non-wage cost', that refers to employers' social contributions and taxes net of subsidies connected to employment.

Administrative sources and other available data are used to compile the Index. Specifically:

1. data from the Social Insurance Services

2. data from the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus

3. hours worked as published by the Statistical Service (National Accounts data)

4. the latest available results of the Labour Cost Survey.

In addition to changes in «wages and salaries» and the «non-wage costs», the Labour Cost Index (total cost) reflects also the changes in hours worked. Please note that, weights (total labour costs) are used to calculate the change, which refer to the previous year.

Base Year

Data with base year 2020 are available quarterly from the first quarter of 2000.

Data with base year 2016 are available quarterly from the first quarter of 2000 to the fourth quarter of 2022.

Data Revision

The data are revised when new data used to calculate the index are available (labour cost, hours worked, assumptions). Based on the results of the Labour Cost Survey with reference year 2020, the assumptions used for the estimation of the variables have been revised. As a result, the percentage changes of the indices from the first quarter of 2016 onwards, have been revised.

Seasonally adjusted data may differ in each publication as when new observations are added, the parameters of the model change. The model is revised on an annual basis.

For more information visit the CYSTAT Portal, subtheme Labour Cost and Earnings, CYSTAT-DB (Online Database), Methodological Information, or contact Ms Phani Lagou: Tel:+35722602115, Email: plagou@cystat.mof.gov.cy.

(NG/ECHR)