Smallest rise in median hourly earnings in over a decade

Smallest rise in median hourly earnings in over a decade

New Zealand Income Survey results for the June 2011 quarter showed the smallest annual percentage increase in median hourly earnings since the June 2000 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. From the June 2010 to June 2011 quarter, median hourly earnings increased 1.9 percent (38 cents) to $20.38.

For people in full-time employment, median hourly earnings increased 1.9 percent (42 cents) to $22.00 in the year to the June 2011 quarter – the smallest percentage increase since the June 2001 quarter.

Median weekly wage and salary income, for those receiving income from this source, increased 4.0 percent to $800 in the year to the June 2011 quarter. Several factors contributed to this increase, including:

*  increases in total hours worked
*  a decrease in the proportion of people earning wages and salaries
*  changes in the distribution of wage and salary earners.

Median weekly income from government transfers, for those who receive government transfers, increased $12 to $280 (4.4 percent) in the year to the June 2011 quarter. The 65+ age group contributed to this, with a rise in the number of people receiving government transfers (up 3.4 percent) and a 7.6 percent rise in median weekly income from this source. Adjustments to New Zealand superannuation and some supplementary benefits drove the increase in government transfer income for the 65+ age group.

Median weekly income for all people from all sources (including those with no source of income) increased $21 (3.9 percent) to $550 from the June 2010 to June 2011 quarter. Contributing to this was both the increase in median weekly wage and salary income, and the increase in median weekly government transfer income.

The New Zealand Income Survey, which started in 1997, is an annual survey run during the June quarter (April to June). It provides a snapshot of income statistics about people and households.

NZIncomeSurveyJun11qtr.pdf
Geoff Bascand

Government Statistician

© Scoop Media