Wages rose by an average of 2.1% last year, national statistics agency CBS said on Thursday.

Pay rises agreed in centralised negotiations between unions and employers averaged 2.2% in the first six months of the year and 1.9% in the second half, the CBS said.

Given inflation was around 2.4% last year, wages failed to keep pace with the rise in consumer prices.

Hospitality industry wages rose just 0.3%, as coronavirus shut down cafes and restaurants for much of the year and called a halt to tourism.  The biggest increase – 3.4% – was in the sector ‘other services’ which, the CBS points out, includes lobby groups, launderettes and the funeral sector.