The government of Georgia spent GEL 105.7 million on the remuneration of freelancers in 1Q2023. This was GEL 22 million more than the previous year, which hit a record high. If such trend is maintained until the end of the year, then the salaries of freelancers will exceed GEL 400 million.
The budget performance report does not indicate how many freelancers work in different ministries or government institutions. However, it is clear from the performance report that the salaries of freelancers are increasing y-o-y.
Along with freelancers, the salary fund of full-time employees also increased. In 1Q2023, a total of 509 million GEL was spent on full-time employees, which was GEL 61 million more than the previous year. According to the budget plan, 113,000 people are employed in ministries and state-owned enterprises will receive a total of GEL 2.2 billion as wages this year.
The government plans to increase public service salaries by 10% y-o-y until 2026.
The Ministry of Finance has already increased salaries for civil servants by 10% in 2022, which increased the basic salary to GEL 1,100.
Georgia's public sector employs a total of 301,000 people, including civil servants as well as freelancers.
