During the NEP, how was the average wage affected?

The assertion that the average wage increased by 150% during the New Economic Policy (NEP) is supported by the historical context of this period in Soviet Russia. Implemented in 1921, the NEP aimed to recover the economy after the devastating effects of the Russian Civil War. Under the NEP, the government allowed for some private enterprise and market mechanisms to stimulate economic growth.

As a result of these economic reforms, the wage levels of workers saw significant increases compared to the preceding War Communism era, where wages were low and many economic activities were heavily centralized and controlled by the state. The introduction of market incentives, greater agricultural production, and the return of some degree of normality in trade contributed to a boost in wages as businesses sought to attract workers and improve productivity.

In this context, the rise in average wage levels can be attributed to the improving economic conditions, which included an increase in agricultural output and the revival of the industrial sector, leading to an overall increase in demand for labor. This increase of approximately 150% aligns with reports from that period that highlighted substantial wage growth relative to the challenging pre-NEP environment.