Compared to the third quarter of 2024, hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) increased across most economic activities.
The most significant increases of the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) were found in real estate activities (10.24%), construction
(8.11%), financial and insurance activities (6.87%), respectively in wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
(6.43%).
The most significant decrease of the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) was registered in education (-28.44%), determined by
the time actually worked increase (a phenomenon characteristic of this activity in the fourth quarter of each year determined by the
starting of the new school year).
Also, slight decreases of the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) were noticed in arts, entertainment and recreation (-2.53%), human
health and social work activities (-1.27%), respectively in public administration (-0.20%).
As against the previous quarter, the direct costs component (wages and salaries) increased by 0.75% and the other costs component (non-wages costs) by 0.94%.
In the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of 2023, the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) increased in all economic activities. The most significant increases of the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) were found in education (21.67%), real estate activities (21.17%), respectively in other service activities (19.77%).
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the hourly labor cost (working days adjusted) increased the least in mining and quarrying (6.28%),
administrative and support service activities (8.56%), arts, entertainment and recreation (9.19%), respectively in electricity, gas, steam
and air conditioning supply (9.54%).
As against the same quarter of 2023, the direct costs component (wages and salaries) increased by 13.12% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and the other costs component (non-wages costs) by 11.94%.