Wage Rate Index – Second Quarter 2026
Highlights
(Base: fourth quarter 2021=100)
1. The Wage Rate Index increased by 0.4% or 0.5 point to reach 139.3 in second quarter 2026 from 138.8 in first quarter 2026. Compared to second quarter 2025, the Wage Rate Index increased by 5.8% or 7.6 points.
2. Main changes registered in the sub-indices from first quarter 2026 to second quarter 2026 are:
|
Accommodation and food service activities |
2.3% |
|
Construction |
1.6% |
|
Administrative and support service activities |
0.8% |
|
Manufacturing |
0.5% |
|
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor vehicles and motorcycles |
0.5% |
|
Public administration and defence compulsory social
security |
-0.6% |
3. The Wage Rate Index for the General Government sector, which accounts for around 34% of the total weight of the Wage Rate Index, decreased by 0.2% or 0.3 point to reach 128.8 in second quarter 2026, from 129.1 in first quarter 2026. Compared to second quarter 2025, the index increased by 7.3% or 8.8 points.
4. The index for the public sector which comprises General Government and public enterprises and accounting for around 46% of the Wage Rate Index, decreased by 0.1% or 0.1 point from 130.9 in first quarter 2026 to 130.8 in second quarter 2026. Compared to second quarter 2025, the index for the public sector increased by 6.7% or 8.2 points.
5. The index for the private sector, which accounts for around 54% of the total weight of the Wage Rate Index, increased by 0.6% or 0.9 point from 144.7 in first quarter 2026 to 145.6 in second quarter 2026. Compared to second quarter 2025, the index for the private sector increased by 4.8% or 6.7 points.
6. The Wage rate Index for the twelve months ending June 2026 worked out to 135.9, compared to 130.4 for the twelve months ending June 2025.
Ministry of Finance
24 September 2026
