At least 100,000 Romanians earn net salaries of more than 1,000 euros per month (4,300 RON), i.e. 2.3% of the 4.3 million salaried employees, according to data centralised by the National House of Pensions and Other Social Security Rights (CNPAS) based on the number of insured at the end of September.

In spite of the recession seeing incomes down, the number of salaried employees earning more than 1,000 euros climbed by 1,800 compared with the summer of economic boom year 2008.

"The 100,000 Romanians earning over 1,000 euros net per month is quite a realistic figure, their number could be 10-20% higher, because of the employees working in sales, who are paid on a commission basis. Outside Bucharest, in counties like Vrancea, Vaslui and Botosani, I don't think there are more than 50, 100 or a few hundred people at most earning more than 1,000 euros a month," said Valentin Dima, consultant with executive search firm KM Trust & Partners. Wages in Romania remain the lowest in Europe, statistically. However, there are 500 cars with a starting price of around 200,000 euros on the streets of Romania, and 8,500 apartments and houses worth over 100,000 euros have been sold in Bucharest in the past three to four years, more than a quarter of which cost more than 200,000 euros.

At least 100,000 Romanians earn net salaries of more than 1,000 euros per month (4,300 RON), i.e. 2.3% of the 4.3 million salaried employees, according to data centralised by the National House of Pensions and Other Social Security Rights (CNPAS) based on the number of insured at the end of September.

In spite of the recession seeing incomes down, the number of salaried employees earning more than 1,000 euros climbed by 1,800 compared with the summer of economic boom year 2008.

"The 100,000 Romanians earning over 1,000 euros net per month is quite a realistic fig