Taipei: Taiwan's average real regular wages rose 1.27 percent year-on-year in the first five months of 2026, marking the biggest increase for the period in six years. The rise highlights that employees' regular pay has continued to outpace inflation despite ongoing inflationary pressures. According to Focus Taiwan, data released Friday by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) shows that average regular wages reached NT$49,216 (US$1,531) in May, up 2.95 percent from a year earlier. This marks the second-highest growth rate for May in 27 years. Including bonuses and overtime pay, the average total wages stood at NT$62,579, a 0.94 percent increase year-on-year. The report also noted that average wages can be skewed by exceptionally high earners. To provide a clearer picture, the DGBAS reported that the median regular wage in May was NT$39,426, reflecting a 3.14 percent increase from a year earlier. After adjusting for inflation, the average real regular wage during the first five months reached NT$44,128, a 1.27 percent rise from the same period last year. Meanwhile, real total wages increased by 1.37 percent in the January-May period, which is slower than the 1.67 percent increase recorded a year earlier. A DGBAS official attributed the slower growth in real total wages to the timing of Dragon Boat Festival bonuses. In previous years, many companies paid these bonuses in May, but some postponed payments until June this year, impacting May's total wage growth.