TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As salary increases outpaced inflation, real regular earnings and real total earnings for January-October reached their highest level in five and 10 years respectively, the government said Wednesday.
The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics identified salary increases, the brisk development of the AI sector, and businesses issuing bonuses to encourage staff as the main reasons, per CNA.
The average for employees in the industry and services sectors in October reached NT$48,252 (US$1,546). The figure marked an increase of 3.8% over October 2024 and the highest level in 26 years.
Leaving inflationary factors out of consideration, real regular earnings for employees rose 1.32% in January-October compared to the same period last year, accounting for the steepest increase in five years. The 2.22% rise in real total earnings over the same period amounted to the highest increase since 2016.
The median regular earnings for employees in the industrial and service sectors in October were NT$38,743, an increase of 3.99% from October 2024. The figure for the period from January to October reached NT$38,319, a rise of 3% from the same period last year.
Looking at different sectors of the economy for January-October 2024, median regular earnings for hotel staff stood at NT$31,566, while employees of electronic parts manufacturers made NT$46,914. Higher figures were reported for the publishing, audiovisual, information and telecommunication sectors at NT$53,400, and for the finance and insurance industry at NT$57,861.
