The unemployment rate (5.6%) in the quarter ended in August 2025 repeated the lowest index in the time series started in 2012, retreating in both comparisons: -0.6 percentage points (p.p.) against the previous moving quarter (6.2%) and -1.0 p.p. over the same quarter in 2024 (6.6%).

The unemployed population (6.084 million) was the lowest one in the time series, retreating in both comparisons: -9.0% (less 605 thousand persons) in the quarter and -14.6% (less 1.0 million persons) in the year.

The employed population (102.4 million) grew in both comparisons: 0.5% (more 555 thousand persons) in the quarter and 1.8% (more 1.9 million) in the year.

The employment-population ratio - percentage of employed persons in the population at working age - remained at a record percentage: 58.8%, rosing in both comparisons: 0.2 p.p. in the quarter (58.4%) and 0.7 p.p. (58.1%) In the year.

The composite underutilization rate (14.1%) repeated the lowest rate in the time series, retreating in both comparisons: -0.8 p.p. against the previous quarter (14.9%) and -1.9 p.p. compared to the same quarter of 2024 (16.0%). The underutilized population (16.0 million) fell in both comparisons: -6.2% (less 1.1 million) in the quarter and -11.8% (less 2.1 million) in the year.

The time-related unemployed population (4.6 million) remained stable in the quarter and fell 7.8% (less 386 thousand people) in the year. The population out of the workforce (66.8 million) grew in both comparisons: 0.6% (376 thousand persons) in the quarter and 0.8% (501 thousand persons) in the year.

The discouraged population (2.7 million) dropped 6.7% (less 191 thousand persons) in the quarter and retreated 13.7% (less 423 thousand persons) in the year. It was the smallest contingent since the quarter ended in January 2016. The percentage of discouraged persons (2.4%) fell 0.2 p.p. in the quarter and decreased 0.4 p.p. in the year.

The number of workers in the private sector (52.6 million) was a new record in the time series, being stable in the quarter and growing 1.5% (more 768 thousand) in the year.

The number of persons employed with a formal contract in the private sector (except domestic workers) reached a new record (39.1 million), being stable in the quarter and rising 3.3% (more 1.2 million persons) in the year. The number of workers without a formal contract in the private sector (13.5 million) remained stable in the quarter and retreated 3.3% (less 464 thousand people) in the year.

The number of workers in the public sector (12.9 million) remained stable in the quarter and grew 2.7% (more 340 thousand) in the year.

The number of self-employed workers (25.9 million) increased in both comparisons: 1.2% (more 300 thousand persons) in the quarter and 4.3% (more 1.1 million) in the year.
The informality rate was 38.0% of the employed population (or 38.9 million informal workers) against 37.8% (or 38.6 million) in the previous quarter and 38.9% (or 39.1 million) in the quarter ended in August 2024.

Usual real earnings from all jobs (R$3,488) remained stable in the quarter and grew 3.3% in the year.

The average usual real wage bill (R$352.6 billion) grew in both comparisons: 1.4% (more R$4.9 billion) in the quarter and 5.4% (more R$17.9 billion) in the year.

Unemployment rate - Brazil - 2012/2025

The contingent in the workforce (employed and unemployed people) reached 108.5 persons in the quarter from June to August 2025, being stable compared to the previous quarter and growing 0.8% (more 815 thousand people) compared to the same quarter of 2024.

The analysis of employment by activity group against the previous moving quarter showed an increase in two groups: Agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishery and aquaculture (4.4% or more 333 thousand persons) and Public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (1.7% or more 323 thousand people). Only the group of Domestic services reduced (3.0% or less 174 thousand persons). The other groups remained stable.

With regard to the quarter from June to August 2024, two groups increased: Transportation, storage and mailing (5.5%, or 311 thousand people) and Public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (4.2%, or more 760 thousand people). Only the group of Domestic services reduced (3.2% or less 187 thousand persons). e other groups did not change significantly.

Composite underutilization rate - Quarters between June and August - Brazil - 2012 to 2025 (%)

Real average monthly earnings by activity group, compared to the previous moving quarter, showed an increase in the category of Public Administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (1.9%, or more R$89). e other groups did not change significantly.

Compared with the quarter from June to August 2024, four categories increased:  Agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquaculture  (6.6%, or more R$136), Construction  (5.1%, or more R$132), Public administration, social security, education, human health and social services  (3.7%, or more R$171) and Domestic services (5.3%, or more R$68). The other groups did not change significantly.