Georgia's wages rose 8%, but construction pay barely moved

Georgia's average monthly nominal wage rose by GEL177.3 from a year earlier to GEL2,389.3 in the second quarter. Pay was highest in information and communication at GEL4,400.4, followed by finance at GEL4,074.1 and construction at GEL3,496.6.

The growth rates tell a different story from the levels. Total earnings increased 8.0%, professional activities 10.3% and finance 9.2%, but construction pay rose only 0.8%. That unusually weak gain deserves attention because construction remains one of the country's better-paid large sectors.

For housing affordability, nominal wages are only the numerator. Buyers also face apartment prices, down-payment requirements and mortgage rates. A proper affordability index should compare local wages with the monthly payment on a standardised Tbilisi or Batumi apartment, not simply celebrate income growth.

The gender gap also narrows the effective buyer pool: women earned GEL1,927 on average versus GEL2,856.4 for men. Tbilisi and Mtskheta-Mtianeti remained the leading regions, reinforcing the link between high-paid employment and the strongest urban housing markets.