Bulgaria's average monthly wage reached BGN 523 at the end of the third quarter of 2008, which is a net increase of BGN 13 (2.5% QoQ), according to the data of the National Statistical Institute. The average salary in the public sector has increased by BGN 43 during the third quarter reaching BGN 646, whereas the official average salary in the private sector has grown by BGN 4 reaching BGN 481. Compared to the third quarter of 2007, Bulgaria's average salary in the same period of 2008 has increased by BGN 96 (22.5% YoY); the increase in the public sector was 25.9% YoY, whereas the growth in the private sector was BGN 22.1% YoY.