The Labour Cost Index (LCI) increased by 3.0% in 2018, compared to the previous year.
The two main labour cost components – wage costs and other costs (both per hour actually worked) – increased by 3.2% and by 2.4%, respectively, compared to the same period of the previous year.
In 2017, the LCI had recorded an increase of 2.1%, corresponding to rates of change of 2.0% in wage costs and of 2.6% in other costs.
By economic activity, in 2018, the LCI recorded an annual increase of 2.8% in the activities from sections B to N and an increase of 3.3% in the activities from sections O to S (which include the Public Administration).
In the 4th quarter of 2018, the LCI increased by 10.3% corresponding to rates of change of 10.8% in wage costs and of 8.5% in other labour costs (which include employer’s contributions). This increase reflected the change in the payment profile throughout the year of the Christmas bonuses.