According to “Sodros”, in the second quarter of 2024, the average salary of residents “on paper” amounted to 2184 euros or 1346 euros “in hand”.
During this period last year, residents earned an average of 1980 euros “on paper” – they received 1230 euros “in their hands”.
According to Kristina Zitikytė, the advisor of Sodra’s Statistics, Analysis and Forecasting Department, the increase in the average income of the population was particularly influenced by the increase of the minimum monthly wage (MMA) by 10 percent.
Uniform growth showed different trends
The increase in income of other insured persons depended on the sector in which they work. Labor income increased the most in the public sector, administrative and service, and information and communication activities.
In women’s health care and social work activities, the average income increased by 137 euros per hand and reached 1,442 euros, the number of employees increased by 3 thousand. In public management, income increased by 130 euros to 1,429 euros, and the number of employees increased by 1.3 thousand.
“In administrative and communication activities, which involve, for example, building maintenance and landscaping, employment activities, about 30 percent workers receive MMA or lower labor income, so their income growth reflected the growth of MMA. Here, after the increase, the average income reached 980 euros per hand.
At that time, it was similar in the information and communication sector – 10.4 percent. – growth meant slowing down. In 2022, the income in this activity increased by 16.2 percent, and in 2023 – by 15.1 percent. Compared to previous years, the number of insured persons in this area did not increase. However, the income here continues to be one of the highest – at the moment, an average of 2,120 euros is earned in hand,” says Kristina Zitikytė.
The youngest recipients of unemployment benefit increased
The general situation in the labor market remained stable: there were 1.6 thousand insured persons or 0.1 percent. less than a year ago, but more people were hired than fired. A total of 1.3 million people worked in Lithuania in June of this year. people.
However, almost 5 thousand or 7 percent. the number of people receiving unemployment benefits increased. A trend has been observed for several years in a row: unemployment benefit recipients are increasing among young people under 30 years old. In this age group, every tenth insured person receives unemployment benefits.
Unemployment benefits are mostly received by young people who previously worked in administrative and service activities – 8 unemployed per 100 insured persons, in trade – 7 unemployed per 100 insured persons, and in accommodation and catering activities – 6 unemployed persons per 100 insured persons. In comparison, the number of recipients of unemployment benefits is the lowest in public administration – here there are 1.8 unemployed persons for every 100 employed persons under the age of 30.
This year, more of the youngest recipients of unemployment benefits appeared among those who worked in other sectors: information and communications, financial and insurance, construction activities. These areas also reflect the career choice of young people.
“While studying and combining studies with work, young people under the age of 25 usually choose the field of accommodation and catering services. Employees of this age make up almost 30 percent. of the insured in this economic activity. After graduating, young workers aged 25-30 are employed in information and communication, financial and insurance activities, accounting for 24 percent, respectively. and 20 percent of all insured persons in these areas” – observes the “Sodra” analyst.
At that time, the youngest employees are still very few in public management (7%) and education (6%) activities.
In Vilnius, young people earn a third more than in the regions
Relatively more recipients of unemployment benefits live in the regions. For example, in the Jonava district, there are 11 unemployment benefit recipients per 100 working young people, 10 each in Radviliškis, Raseinių, Pasvalis, and Lazdijai districts. In Vilnius, there are 6.3 young unemployed people per 100 employed people. During the year, the number of unemployment benefit recipients among young people increased the most in Kelmė district – from 3.8 to 9.2 unemployment benefit recipients per 100 residents under 30 years of age.
The income of young people often depends on the place of residence. For example, in Vilnius, the average income of people aged 25-30 exceeds 1,500 euros per hand, while in the ten municipalities with the lowest labor income, it reaches an average of 1,100 euros.
In municipalities with a lower standard of living, young people work in other jobs than in the wealthiest regions. In Vilnius, young people usually choose computer programming and consulting activities, retail trade, and financial services activities. In municipalities with the lowest incomes, young people are more likely to work in land transport, people’s health care, and education activities.
The new procedure for child care benefits – new decisions for families
In 2023, after the change in the payment procedure of child care benefits, changes in the statistics of child care benefits are increasingly visible. Parents raising babies have already been receiving benefits under the new regulation for 1.5 years. The purpose of the European Union directive is to ensure that parents have the opportunity to more flexibly combine child-rearing and work. Currently, some parents receive child care benefits according to the old procedure – for children born before 2023. on January 1, and those whose children were born in 2023 and later – according to the new procedure.
A declining birth rate affects the number of maternity but not paternity benefits
As the birth rate decreases in Lithuania, this trend affects the number of recipients of maternity and paternity benefits in different ways.
If in 2020 there were 21 thousand maternity cases, in 2023 – only 17.3 thousand. However, a greater proportion of women who have given birth to a child are established in the labor market and have acquired the social insurance experience required to receive maternity benefits. If in 2010, 79 percent received maternity benefits. of women who have given birth, in 2023 – already 87 percent.
At that time, the number of paternity benefit recipients does not decrease, as more and more men apply for the benefit. For example, in 2023, a total of 20 thousand children were born – 3.6 thousand. less than in 2020. In 2023, 17.3 thousand people received the maternity allowance. women, that is almost 3 thousand. less than in 2020. In 2023, 15.7 thousand people received the paternity allowance. men, or 3 thousand more than 2020 years
Half of the child care benefit recipients chose the 18-month benefit payment period, when the amount of the benefit reaches 60%. of the former compensatory wage on paper, the other half chose a 24-month period, with 45% paid in the first year, and 30% thereafter. former average income. In comparison, earlier the majority of recipients – 93 percent. – took a two-year parental leave.
There are fewer male beneficiaries, but the numbers show real engagement
The share of men among child care benefit recipients has also changed. For example, in 2022 in June, 27.7 thousand people received childcare benefits. women and 9.1 thousand men. Of them, 11 thousand women and 8 thousand men received a benefit in the second year of raising a child.
in 2024 in June, 18.7 thousand people received child care benefits under the new procedure. women and almost 2 thousand men. Of these, 9.5 thousand were among those who chose the 18-month payment period. women and 1.5 thousand men. Among those who chose the 24-month duration, 6.2 thousand received a payment for the first year. women and 200 men, for the second year – 3 thousand. women and 200 men. Other recipients are currently still receiving benefits allocated according to the old procedure.
“The number of men receiving child care allowance has decreased, but we can assume that these figures reflect the real involvement of parents in raising a child. Previously, in the second year of child care benefit recipients could work and receive the benefit. Most of the male recipients remained in the labor market, while receiving child care allowance when their mothers continued to look after the children at home. The new procedure provides that the income earned while raising a child does not reduce the child care allowance, if the amount of the allowance and additional income does not exceed 100 percent. former average salary, so fewer recipients take advantage of the opportunity to work and receive child care allowance at the same time,” explains Kristina Zitikytė.
Not everyone has used the non-transferable months yet
in 2024 in June there were about 1 thousand. of parents who received childcare allowance and worked. At most, 6 percent. employed were among those who chose to receive the benefit for 18 months. Their average working income was around 1,650 euros, and the average benefit was 1,370 euros.
Among those who chose to receive the benefit for 24 months, 2-4 percent were employed. Their average working income was around 997 euros, and their average payment was 1,028 euros. In comparison, earlier in the second year of child care, about 53 percent worked. benefit recipients. 90 percent worked. of men who received child care allowance and 29 percent. women.
According to data from June this year, about 40 percent fathers or mothers have already received a benefit for the non-transferable months when the other person receives a benefit for the remaining period of the benefit payment. These numbers will still change, as non-transferable months can be used at the end of the benefit payment period. Currently, half of parents who receive non-transferable months pay take it at the start or middle of parental leave, with the other parents taking non-transferable months in the final months of parental leave.
2024-08-22 18:55:15