The higher rise in real terms than that in nominal terms is interpreted by the RBA analysts as a consequence of deflation pressures throughout 2016.
The analysts cite the findings of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW Institut) about the average gross monthly salary paid in Croatia in 2016 in the amount of EUR 1,029. And in 2015, it was 1,058, whereas in 2014 the average gross wage stood at 1,042 euros.
For the sake of comparison, Slovenia's gross monthly salary was EUR 1,584 last year.
On the other hand, the Czech Republic was below Croatia with the average gross salary standing at EUR 1,020 last year, followed by Poland (EUR 979), Slovakia (EUR 911), Hungary (EUR 845), Romania (EUR 643) and Bulgaria (EUR 486).
However, the RBA analysts warn that in those countries there has been a trend of a rise in the average gross monthly pay, whereas in Croatia is has been stagnating.
As for the minimum gross monthly wage in 2016, in Croatia it stood at EUR 433, according to Eurostat figures.
Minimum wage levels vary considerably across the European Union (EU) Member States: thus in Slovenia it stood at EUR 805, and, on the other hand, in Poland it was EUR 453, Hungary (EUR 412), Slovakia (EUR 435), the Czech Republic (EUR 407), Romania (EUR 275) and in Bulgaria (EUR 235).