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This release has been compiled during the COVID-19 crisis. The results contained in this release reflect some of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation.
Impact of COVID-19 on earnings statistics
The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions applied in response to it had a significant impact on the Labour Market in 2020. Earnings statistics for 2020 and comparisons with earlier years are impacted by changes in the composition of the labour market across 2020 and when compared to 2019 and earlier years. As shown in the Main Results chapter, the level of earnings has also been impacted by COVID-19 income support schemes introduced in 2020.
Median weekly earnings were highest among the 40-49 year age group in 2020
The age group with the highest median weekly earnings in 2020 was the 40-49 year olds at €757.58 which was a rise of 3.8% from €730.03 in 2019. The age group with the next highest median was the 30-39 year age group at €709.62 in 2020. The age group with the lowest median weekly earnings was the 15-24 year olds at €337.66 in 2020.
Males and females in the 40-49 year age group both had the highest median earnings at €843.89 and €666.45 respectively with the median for males in that age group 26.6% higher than for females.
The 50-59 year age group for males saw the next highest median at €821.85 while the next highest median for females was €655.05 in the 30-39 year age group.
The 40-49 year age group also recorded the highest overall mean weekly earnings at €968.45 in 2020, a 4.4% increase on 2019's figure of €927.36, followed by the 50-59 year age group at €928.75. The 15-24 year age group recorded the lowest mean weekly earnings in 2020 at €373.56.
Males in the 40-49 year age group recorded the highest mean weekly earnings at €1,106.87 in 2020, marginally higher than the 50-59 year age group at €1,106.31. In relation to mean weekly earnings of females, females in the 40-49 year age group recorded the highest mean weekly earnings at €825.52 which was 7.6% higher than the next highest age group, 30-39 year olds, at €767.05. See Tables 5.1 and 5.2.
| X-axis label | Male | Female | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 - 24 | 371.82 | 302.62 | 337.66 |
| 25 - 29 | 608.29 | 565.42 | 589.21 |
| 30 - 39 | 754.49 | 655.05 | 709.62 |
| 40 - 49 | 843.89 | 666.45 | 757.58 |
| 50 - 59 | 821.85 | 601.81 | 708.99 |
| 60 and over | 646.71 | 461.17 | 553.33 |
| Total | 690.56 | 561.23 | 629.46 |
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