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Wage differences continue to increase

Business man shaking hands.Photo: Frank May / NTB scanpix NB! MODELLKLARERT

Wage differentials in Norway have increased considerably in recent decades according to Statistics Norway (SSB). The differences are most common in the public sector.

 

‘’The highest wage groups have had stronger wage developments than those with lower wages.The biggest deviation is between bottom and top” said senior consultant,Knut Håkon Grini of SSB to Dagsavisen newspaper.

In the past 20 years, the gap between the highest and lowest wages has grown significantly figures from the agency show.

In 1997, the monthly salary of the top 10% was 2.8 times higher than the average salary for the 10% lowest paid jobs.20 years later, the corresponding ratio was 3.8%.

This gives a pay gap of NOK 65,600 per month.

Much of the development is due to the fact that those who earn the most are deducted from the rest.

“The top ten percent have deducted from absolutely everyone else” said Grini.

The wage gap is greatest in the private sector, but in the public sector, inequality has increased faster. This is due both to the fact that inequality was lower in the public
sector and that the state adjusts to the rest of the market according to Grini.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today