At a glance

Wages: Facts and figures

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Wages: Facts and figures
Global monthly wages adjusted for inflation grew by 1.2 per cent in 2011, down from 3 per cent in 2007 and 2.1 per cent in 2010. Wage growth fell into the red in developed countries but continued to increase in emerging economies. From 2000 to 2011 wages grew by just under a quarter globally, but almost doubled in Asia and nearly tripled in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. There are also huge variations in wage levels across countries, with hourly wages for a worker in the manufacturing sector ranging from less than $1.50 to almost $35. Over the past decade, wages have grown at a slower pace than labour productivity in a majority of countries for which data is available. Workers’ share of national income has been shrinking in most countries.

Global monthly wages adjusted for inflation grew by 1.2 per cent in 2011, down from 3 per cent in 2007 and 2.1 per cent in 2010.
Wage growth fell into the red in developed countries but continued to increase in emerging economies.
From 2000 to 2011 wages grew by just under a quarter globally, but almost doubled in Asia and nearly tripled in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
There are also huge variations in wage levels across countries, with hourly wages for a worker in the manufacturing sector ranging from less than $1.50 to almost $35.
Over the past decade, wages have grown at a slower pace than labour productivity in a majority of countries for which data is available.
Workers’ share of national income has been shrinking in most countries.

Source: Global Wage Report 2012/13.