Wage totals from End of the Year Certificate Register, 2004

For men the increase was 3.1 per cent from NOK 374 billion in 2003 to NOK 386 billion in 2004. For women the increase was 3.6 per cent to NOK 246 billion. In total, 2 647 000 people received compensation in cash in 2004, which is 6 000 more than in 2003.

Slight decrease in unemployment benefit payments

188 000 people received unemployment benefit in 2004, a decrease of 15.7 per cent from 2003. The decrease mainly took place among those with the lowest benefits. Total payments of unemployment benefit amounted to almost NOK 11 billion in 2003, a decrease of 0.3 per cent from 2003.

Sick and maternity leave benefits down NOK 0.8 billion

Total paid benefits for sick and maternity leave amounted to NOK 14.2 billion in 2004. This is a decrease of approximately NOK 0.8 billion or 5.3 per cent from 2003. In comparison, there was an increase from 2002 to 2003 of NOK 1.3 billion or 9.7 per cent.

About 322 000 people received sick leave or maternity leave benefits. These benefits only cover payments through the national social security system, not benefits paid by government employers or payments to the self-employed. Payments of maternity and sick leave benefits to central or local government employees are included in the total paid wages and remuneration.

Increase in pensions payments

Total pension payments reached almost NOK 187 billion in 2004, an increase of 6.4 per cent compared with 2003. This amount includes payments from the national social security system and different pension payments outside the national social security system. 1 472 000 people received such payments in 2004, an increase of 2 000 since 2003.

About the statistical basis

The statistics are based on figures from the End of the Year Certificate Register for 2004. The register covers enterprises that are obliged 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. 2003 and 2004
• Table 2 Basis of employer's National Insurance contributions by institutional sector. 2003 and 2004
• Table 3 Payments in kind. Number of persons and total amount. 2003 and 2004. NOK million and change in per cent
• Table 4 Payment in cash, by sex and age group. 2003 and 2004. Total amount and average
• Table 5 Disbursements of unemployment benefits by county. 2003 and 2004
• Table 6 Disbursements of unemployment benefits by amount. 2003 and 2004.
• Table 7 Basis for extra employer's National Insurance contributions for high wages.1993- 2004. NOK million
• Table 8 Basis of employer's National Insurance contributions, by zone for Employer's Tax and County. 2004. Total amount in NOK million
• Table 9 Average wage for senior officials. Enterprises with 25 work liaisons and more. Identical men and women. 2003-2004
• Table 10 Average wage for senior officials by quartile. Enterprises with 25 work liaison and more. Identical men and women. 2003-2004.