What Is the Current Unemployment Rate in Brazil?
Understand Brazil's current unemployment rate. Explore the official data, how it's calculated, and the economic factors influencing recent trends.
Understanding a nation’s unemployment rate offers insight into its economic health and the well-being of its workforce. This economic indicator measures the percentage of the labor force that is without work but actively seeking employment. Analyzing these figures provides a snapshot of how effectively a country’s economy is generating job opportunities for its population. This article details Brazil’s current unemployment situation, how these figures are compiled, and factors contributing to their fluctuations.
Current Unemployment Rate in Brazil
Brazil’s official unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2025 registered at 5.8%. This figure represents a notable decrease from the 7.0% recorded in the preceding quarter. The data, released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), shows this 5.8% rate is the lowest recorded since the IBGE began its current time series in 2012.
Understanding Brazil’s Unemployment Data
The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) compiles unemployment data through the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD Contínua). This survey collects information from households to provide a detailed picture of the labor market. The methodology aligns with international standards, ensuring comparability of Brazil’s labor statistics with those of other nations.
The IBGE defines individuals as “unemployed” if they were not working, were available for work, and actively sought employment in the 30 days preceding the survey. “Employed” persons are those who worked at least one hour during the reference week. The “labor force” encompasses both employed and unemployed individuals, representing the population aged 14 and older who are working or actively looking for work. The survey also identifies “discouraged workers,” who are not actively seeking employment because they believe no suitable job opportunities are available.
Recent Trends and Influencing Factors
Brazil’s unemployment rate has shown a consistent downward trend in recent periods. This improvement follows a period where the rate was 6.2% in the quarter ending May 2025, and 6.6% in the three months ending April 2025. The decline reflects a strengthening labor market, with the number of employed persons increasing and the number of unemployed individuals decreasing.
Economic factors have played a significant role in these recent positive trends. Increased government spending has contributed to stimulating the economy, supporting job creation across various sectors. The country has experienced a period of economic growth, which correlates with a reduction in unemployment as businesses expand and hire more workers. Historically, Brazil’s unemployment rate reached a high of 14.9% in September 2020, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.