Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Employment in Brazil - statistics & facts
In the third quarter of 2024, Brazil recorded its lowest unemployment rate in recent years, with just 6.4 percent of the available working-age population out of work. With around 101 million people employed, the country has maintained an employment rate between 57 and 51 percent over recent years. In addition, around 69 percent of the workforce are employed workers, and a quarter are self-employed. Most employees are between the ages of 25 and 44, with the largest age group, 25.8 million workers, being between 35 and 44.
Furthermore, these figures take into account the informal labor market in the South American country. In 2023, around 37 percent of the entire employed population worked in informal jobs, i.e., jobs that are not taxed or monitored by government agencies.
Employment and market figures
The labor market in Brazil is geared towards the tertiary sector of the economy. Around 71 percent of all employment in Brazil is in the service industry. In 2022, around 13 million Brazilian residents were employed in the retail and trade sector alone. In the same year, around 1.2 million people worked in the IT market. In 2022, the number of employees in the agriculture sector surpassed 1.1 million people.
However, the internal labor market is not always enough. In the second quarter of 2024, there were 5.1 million people who met the criteria to be categorized as underemployed due to insufficient working hours. In addition, approximately 3.4 million Brazilians had two or more jobs. Others choose to work remotely for companies outside the country, 53 percent of whom live in the southwest region of Brazil.
Income disparity
Brazil is one of the Latin American and Caribbean countries with the highest gender gap based on income. In 2023, women earned 683 Brazilian reals less than men. Moreover, the disparity in wages extends beyond the distinction of gender. In 2023, the northeast had the lowest average monthly income per person, with 1,991 reals, while in the west-central region the monthly income was over 3,400 reais. Ethnicity is another factor of inequality: in 2023, 59 percent of business owners earning up to two minimum salaries were black, while 72 percent of higher income business owners were white.
Furthermore, these figures take into account the informal labor market in the South American country. In 2023, around 37 percent of the entire employed population worked in informal jobs, i.e., jobs that are not taxed or monitored by government agencies.
Employment and market figures
The labor market in Brazil is geared towards the tertiary sector of the economy. Around 71 percent of all employment in Brazil is in the service industry. In 2022, around 13 million Brazilian residents were employed in the retail and trade sector alone. In the same year, around 1.2 million people worked in the IT market. In 2022, the number of employees in the agriculture sector surpassed 1.1 million people.
However, the internal labor market is not always enough. In the second quarter of 2024, there were 5.1 million people who met the criteria to be categorized as underemployed due to insufficient working hours. In addition, approximately 3.4 million Brazilians had two or more jobs. Others choose to work remotely for companies outside the country, 53 percent of whom live in the southwest region of Brazil.
Income disparity
Brazil is one of the Latin American and Caribbean countries with the highest gender gap based on income. In 2023, women earned 683 Brazilian reals less than men. Moreover, the disparity in wages extends beyond the distinction of gender. In 2023, the northeast had the lowest average monthly income per person, with 1,991 reals, while in the west-central region the monthly income was over 3,400 reais. Ethnicity is another factor of inequality: in 2023, 59 percent of business owners earning up to two minimum salaries were black, while 72 percent of higher income business owners were white.
