Salaries by sector, after a year of austerity: how much each has lost due to inflation

One year after the introduction of austerity measures, statistics show wage increases, yet Romanians are feeling less and less of this in their pockets due to high inflation. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS), presented by journalist Georgia Pietreanu from Realitatea PLUS, reveal significant differences across sectors.

570 RON "eaten up" by rising prices

The average net wage has grown by just 3.5%, whilst inflation has climbed to 10.9%. As a result, although the reported average net wage stands at 5,843 RON, the real purchasing power of this sum is equivalent to just 5,273 RON.

In practice, inflation has reduced Romanians' incomes by approximately 570 RON, demonstrating that wage increases have failed to keep pace with rising prices. Specialists warn that inflation has yet to peak, and the next INS figures could show a rate of 11% or even higher, which would deepen the financial losses felt by the population.

Where the highest wages are earned

According to the INS, the highest average net wages are recorded in:

• Oil and natural gas extraction – 15,429 RON
• IT and information technology consultancy – 14,249 RON
• Insurance activities – 13,585 RON
• Telecommunications – 12,292 RON
• Manufacture of tobacco products – 12,230 RON

Where wages remain very low

At the other end of the scale, the lowest average net incomes are found in:

• Manufacture of clothing – 2,432 RON
• Fishing and aquaculture – 2,915 RON
• Social care – 2,955 RON
• Investigation and security activities – 3,210 RON
• HoReCa – 3,347 RON

The gap between the best and worst paid sectors exceeds, in some cases, six times the income level, highlighting considerable wage disparities within the Romanian economy.