Brazil Unemployment Rate Holds at 5.3%

2026-09-29 12:21 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

Brazil’s unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in the rolling quarter ended in August 2026, unchanged from the previous quarter and matching market expectations.

It was the lowest rate since December 2025.

The unemployed population fell 4.9% year over year to 5.8 million.

The number of private-sector employees with a formal contract, excluding domestic workers, was 39.5 million, the highest level in the historical series, and was broadly stable both quarter over quarter and year over year.

The composite underutilization rate was 13.1%, also broadly stable.

The population working fewer hours than desired fell 6.2% year over year to 4.3 million, while the discouraged population declined 11.9% to 2.4 million.

The informality rate was 37.5%, equivalent to 38.8 million workers.

Average real monthly earnings were broadly stable at R$3,777.



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Brazil Unemployment Rate Holds at 5.3%
Brazil’s unemployment rate stood at 5.3% in the rolling quarter ended in August 2026, unchanged from the previous quarter and matching market expectations. It was the lowest rate since December 2025. The unemployed population fell 4.9% year over year to 5.8 million. The number of private-sector employees with a formal contract, excluding domestic workers, was 39.5 million, the highest level in the historical series, and was broadly stable both quarter over quarter and year over year. The composite underutilization rate was 13.1%, also broadly stable. The population working fewer hours than desired fell 6.2% year over year to 4.3 million, while the discouraged population declined 11.9% to 2.4 million. The informality rate was 37.5%, equivalent to 38.8 million workers. Average real monthly earnings were broadly stable at R$3,777.
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