A public opinion survey in Lithuania in 2011 looked at the levels of satisfaction with work and pay among the country’s employees. The findings show that around a fifth of those employed are satisfied with their job and their pay. However, the range of monthly pay for the majority of respondents at the time of the survey was between LTL 1,001 and LTL 2,000 (€290–€580 as at 18 June 2013). Another fifth of the respondents said they would stay in their job even if their pay was cut.
About the survey
In January 2011, market research company Spinter Tyrimai carried out a public opinion survey in Lithuania. It was commissioned by online news portal Delfi to examine job and pay satisfaction among Lithuanian people. The survey covered those in employment aged between 18 and 75. Using a standardised interviewing technique, the survey was conducted in a total of 85 selected areas around Lithuania located to give a representative national sample. A total of 1,004 respondents were interviewed.
Earnings
The findings revealed that around one third of those interviewed (35%) earned up to LTL 1,000 (€288) per month, as shown in the figure. Nearly half of the respondents (45.8%) were paid between LTL 1,001 and LTL 2,000 (€290–€579) net per month, while nearly one in every seven respondents (15.6%) earned more than LTL 2,000. According to the survey findings, most of those paid more than LTL 2,000 were university graduates aged 26–45 living in large cities.
Wage increase opportunities
The findings of the survey suggest that the respondents have quite moderate expectations about opportunities for increasing their pay. Table 1 shows that more than half of the respondents (52%) did not expect any increase in their pay, while around 13% of the respondents believed their pay would decrease. Nearly one in ten (8.9%) was worried about losing their job.
Table 1: Respondents’ pay increase expectations (%)
| No, I don’t expect any increase | 52.0 |
| My wage is likely to decrease | 12.8 |
| I am afraid of becoming unemployed | 8.9 |
| Yes, I expect a rise of up to 5% | 9.0 |
| Yes, I expect a rise of up to 10% | 6.5 |
| Yes, I expect a rise of up to 30% | 3.2 |
| Yes, I expect a rise of more than by 40% | 0.3 |
| Uncertain/no answer | 7.3 |
| Total | 100 |
Source: Spinter survey, 2011
The survey also demonstrated that respondents in the youngest age cohort from large cities were more likely to expect a wage rise. Men were more likely to expect a rise than women. A slight rise in pay was more likely to be expected by male university graduates over the age of 45 living in regional centres. Respondents aged 56 and over were most likely to expect a wage decrease or fear losing their job.
Job satisfaction
The survey found that around one fifth of the employed respondents (20.7%) were satisfied with their jobs. Table 2 shows that a similar proportion of the respondents (22.4%) said they would stay at their workplace even if their wages decreased. Another fifth of the respondents said that if their wage was not raised this year, they would wait a further year and then decide what to do. Around one in every six of those questioned (15.8%) said they intended to leave Lithuania if their pay didn’t go up. Nearly one in ten (9%) was planning to look for another job.
Table 2: Respondents’ attitudes to pay (%)
| I am satisfied with my current job and pay | 20.7 |
| I will stay in my workplace even if my pay is cut or delayed | 22.4 |
| If my pay does not increase, I’ll wait for the next year and then decide what to do | 19.0 |
| If my pay does not increase, I’ll emigrate | 15.8 |
| I’ll look for another job unless my current pay is increased | 8.7 |
| Uncertain/no answer | 13.4 |
| Total | 100 |
Source: Spinter survey, 2011
The survey findings also revealed that male university graduates with the highest pay, living in large cities, were most often satisfied with their work and pay.
Women, respondents aged 36 and over and residents of regional centres were most likely to say they would stay in their workplace even if their wages were cut.
The youngest respondents to the survey were most likely to say they were looking for a new job or planning to emigrate.
Rasa Zabarauskaite, Institute of Labour and Social Research
