In the last quarter of 2015
Labour Cost Index decreased by 0.9% from the corresponding quarter of 2014
The Labour Cost Index (working days adjusted) decreased by 0.9% in the 4th quarter of 2015, compared with the same period of 2014.
The two main labour cost items are “wage costs” (per hour actually worked) and “other costs” (non-wage costs but per hour actually worked). “Wage costs” declined by 2.1% from the year-ago quarter and the “other costs” increased by 4.3%.
At the country level, the index increased by 2.4% year-on year. “Wage costs” went up by 2.1% and the “other costs” by 3.3%.
The annual data show that in 2015, the regional Labour Cost Index (LCI) decreased by 0.8% when compared to 2014. This decline was determined by the negative rate of change in both “wage costs” (-0.7%) and “other costs” (-0.9%). In Portugal the LCI increased by 2.8% in 2015 (3.0% in “wage costs” and 2.0% in “other costs”).