Real wages per worker last year fell by 0.9% compared to the year before.
Although total cash earnings increased, they were unable to keep pace with rising prices, and real wages turned negative for the first time in two years.
According to the preliminary figures of the "Monthly Labor Statistics Survey" conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare targeting more than 30,000 business establishments with 5 or more employees, the real wage per worker, which reflects price fluctuations, is Last year, it decreased by 0.9% compared to the year before.
Total cash earnings, which is the basis for calculating real wages, averaged 326,157 yen, an increase of 2.1% compared to the previous year, the first growth rate in 31 years. did not.
It is the first time in two years that real wages have fallen below the previous year.
On the other hand, the real wages in December last year, which were also announced, were 0.1% higher than the same month of the previous year, marking the first positive growth in nine months.
Against the backdrop of an increase in bonuses, etc., total cash earnings increased by 4.8% to 572,008 yen, exceeding the rise in prices.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``Wages rose steadily throughout the year last year, but did not reach the rise in prices.Although real wages in December last year were positive, the impact of bonuses and other factors was significant, and the positive trend will continue. I think it's difficult to expect."