Compared with the second quarter of 2025, hourly labor costs (adjusted according to the number of working days) increased across most economic sectors.
The most significant increases in hourly labor costs (adjusted according to the number of working days) were recorded in construction (5.71%), mining and quarrying (5.63%), administrative and support service activities (5.33%), hotels and restaurants (4.99%), manufacturing (4.07%) and professional, scientific and technical activities (4.03%).
Compared with the second quarter of 2025, hourly labor costs (adjusted according to the number of working days) fell most significantly in public administration (-5.79%) and education (-4.70%).
Compared with the second quarter of 2025, the direct labor costs (wage costs) component advanced 1.79% in the second quarter of 2026, while the indirect labor costs (non-wage costs) component went up 1.90%.
According to INS, compared with the first quarter of 2026, hourly labor costs (adjusted according to the number of working days) recorded both decreases and increases across economic sectors.
INS said the sharpest declines in hourly labor costs (adjusted according to the number of working days) were recorded in hotels and restaurants (-3.2%), information and communication (-3.09%), wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (-1.86%) and professional, scientific and technical activities (-1.79%).