September's average wage rate grew 2.3% in nominal terms over the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department says.

About 61% of companies recorded an increase in average wage rates during the month, while 27% saw falls. The remaining 12% reported virtually no change.

After discounting the rise in consumer prices as measured in the Consumer Price Index (A) the overall average wage rate for all major sectors surveyed grew 1.3% in real terms.

The index of payroll per person engaged for all major sectors rose 4.6% in nominal terms in the third quarter over the same period last year.

After netting out the effect of the rise in consumer prices as measured by the Composite Consumer Price Index the average payroll per person engaged grew 3% in real terms in the third quarter.

For the nominal wage indices, year-on-year increases were observed in all selected major sectors in September, ranging from 1.6% to 6.5%. For the real wage indices, year-on-year rises ranging from 0.6% to 5.4% were recorded in all selected major sectors.

As for the nominal indices of payroll per person engaged, year-on-year increases were recorded in all major sectors in the third quarter, ranging from 3.8% to 5.4%.

As for the real payroll indices, year-on-year increases were observed ranging from 2.2% to 3.8% in all selected major sectors.