Wage totals from End of the Year Certificate Register, 2003

2 641 000 persons received compensation in cash in 2003, which is 12 000 less than in 2002.

For all persons that received paid compensation in cash, the average was NOK 231 000 in 2003, an increase of 3.2 per cent from 2002. For men the increase was 2.7 per cent from NOK 265 000 in 2002 to NOK 272 000 in 2003. In comparison, women had NOK 187 000 in 2003, an increase of 4.4 per cent from 2002.

Disbursements of unemployment benefits increased by 34.6 per cent

223 000 persons received unemployment benefit in 2003, an increase of 14.7 per cent from the year before. Total disbursements of unemployment benefit amounted to nearly NOK 11 billion in 2003, an increase of 34.6 per cent from 2002. Average payments increased 17.4 per cent among those on unemployment benefit.

Sick and maternity leave benefits up NOK 1.3 billion

Total paid benefits for sick and maternity leave amounted to NOK 15 billion in 2003. This is an increase of approximately NOK 1.3 billion or 9.7 per cent from 2002. In comparison the increase from 2001 to 2002 was NOK 1.2 billion million or 10 per cent.

About 334 000 persons received sick leave or maternity leave benefits in 2003. These benefits exclusively cover disbursements through the national social security system, and do not cover benefits paid by government employers or payments to the self- employed. Disbursements of maternity and sick leave benefits to Central or Local government employees are incorporated in the total paid wages and remuneration.

Increase in payments of pensions

The total payments of pensions were NOK 175 billion in 2003, an increase of 8.3 per cent compared with 2002. This amount includes payments from the national social security system and different pension payments outside the national social security system. 1 470 000 persons received such payments in 2003, and this is an increase of 10 000 persons since 2002.

About the statistical basis

The statistics are based on figures from the register on End of the Year Certificates for the year 2003. This covers enterprises that are obligated by law to report to the register.

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of persons, total amount and average amount for some main figures. The whole country. 2002 and 2003
• Table 2 Basis of employer's National Insurance contributions, by institutional sector. 2002 and 2003. Total amount and percentage change. NOK million
• Table 3 Payments in kind. Number of persons and total amount. 2002 and 2003. NOK million and change in per cent
• Table 4 Payment in cash by sex and age group. 2002 and 2003. Total amount and average
• Table 5 Disbursements of unemployment benefits by age group. 2002 and 2003. Total and average amount
• Table 6 Disbursements of unemployment benefits by county. 2002 and 2003. Total and average amount
• Table 7 Basis for extra employer's National Insurance contributions for high wages.2002 and 2003. NOK million.
• Table 8 Average wage for senior officials. Enterprises with 25 work liaisons and more. Identical men and women. 2002-2003.
• Table 9 Average wage for senior officials by quartile. Enterprises with 25 work liaison and more. Identical men and women. 2002-2003.