Average earnings in the Republic fell by almost 15 per cent in the three years to 2011, according to a new analysis from the Central Statistics Office. The average worker's total wage bill amounted to €40,775 last year, down 1.1 per cent from €41,226 in 2010.

The total includes costs such as PRSI, the pension levy and tax; when these are excluded, average annual earnings were €35,905 last year, down 0.6 per cent on 2010. The total wage bill last year excluding these costs was €54.9 billion, 14.9 per cent lower than the €64.5 billion recorded in 2008, as the economy was failing.

Average earnings fell in all but five sectors last year: wholesale/retail; transportation and storage; information and communication; administrative and support services and education.