TWO out of three people are earning less than the Isle of Man national average wage, according to statistics released today.

It confirms the widely held belief that the Island has become an unequally divided society with one third of the population living a different life to the rest.

Official figures released today by the Treasury show that 64.9% of the Island’s 39,000 workers are earning less than the average wage of £590.75 (£2566.81 per month).

The figure is well ahead of the statistics for the UK which when measured at April 2010 was £499 (UK Office for National Statistics). The figure for Jersey is £600 per week and for Guernsey £653.85  per week.

The minimum wage in the Isle of Man is £6.10 per hour for anyone over 17. In Jersey the minimum wage is £6.32 per hour and in Guernsey £6.00 per hour.

In a written answer to a Tynwald question by North Douglas MHK Bill Henderson, Treasury Minister Anne Craine said the figures would be more accurately clarified with the statistics produced by the recent census. However, such data will not be available until early next year.

In answer to further questions, it was also revealed that the lowest paid government worker was the equivalent of £232 for a 37-hour week.