Labour costs

The data on labour costs featured here is taken from the following three statistical sources: the Labour Cost Survey 2008, the annual labour cost statistics, and the labour cost index.

The results of the Labour Cost Survey 2008 provide data on the level and composition of labour costs in Austria for the manufacturing sector as a whole (sections B to F of ÖNACE 2008) and for nearly all parts of the services sector (sections G to N and P to S). Under the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999 of 9 March 1999, the level and composition of labour costs are to be surveyed every four years, starting in 2000.

The annual labour cost statistics are designed to supply data to meet user demand between the four-yearly surveys of labour costs. The data requirement is stipulated as part of a voluntary agreement between Eurostat and the Statistical Offices. The featured data includes the average labour costs per hour worked and the structure of labour costs. For Austria this data was calculated based on the Labour Cost Surveys and using results of economics statistics, Labour Force Survey and National Accounts.

The quarterly labour cost index (LCI) is an indicator measuring the short term trend in labour costs per hour worked within the European Economic and Monetary Union; it is set out in Regulation (EC) No 450/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 February 2003. The LCI is an annual chain-linked Laspeyres index calculated for NACE Rev. 2 sections B to S and summaries of some particular sections. Four index series are available:

• Total labour costs per hour worked
• Total labour costs excluding "bonuses" per hour worked
• Wages and salaries per hour worked
• Labour costs other than wages and salaries per hour worked

The index series of NACE Rev. 2 sections B to N are available a) unadjusted, b) adjusted for working time and c) adjusted for seasonal variation and working time. Adjustment of NACE Rev. 2 sections O to S is expected to be carried out with the first quarter of 2013. The index series for the NACE Rev. 2 sections B to N start with the first quarter of 2000 and for the NACE Rev. 2 sections O to S with the first quarter 2009. The base year is 2008 (annual average = 100).