A In the quarter ended in August 2015, the unemployment rate for Brazil was estimated at 8.7%, surpassing that of the quarter ended in May 2015 (8.1%), as well as that of the same quarter a year ago (6.9%). It was the highest unemployment rate in the time series, started in 2012. The unemployed population (8.8 million persons) rose 7.9% (more 647 thousand persons) in relation to the quarter between March and May and increased 29.6% (more 2.0 million persons) when compared with the same quarter of 2014. The employed population (92.1 million persons) remained stable in both comparisons. The number of workers with a formal contract declined 1.2% (less 425 thousand persons) against the quarter between March and May and dropped 3.0% (less 1.1 million persons) over the same quarter of 2014.

The average usual real earnings (R$ 1,882) retracted 1.1% against the quarter between March and May (R$ 1,904) and remained statistically stable in relation to the same quarter of 2014 (R$ 1,864). The average usual real earnings for the quarter ended in August (R$ 167.8 billion) fell 1.1% against the previous moving quarter and remained stable in relation to the same quarter of 2014.

The complete publication of the Continuous PNAD can be accessed here.The indicators of the Continuous PNAD are calculated for moving quarters, using the information of the last three consecutive months of the survey. The rate of the moving quarter ended in August 2015 was calculated based on the information collected in June/2015, July/2015 and August/2015. For example, the information used for the calculation of the indicators for the moving quarters ended in July and August has an amount of repetition around 66%. This repetition only ceases to exist after an interval of two moving quarters. More information on the methodology of the survey can be found  here.

About 8.8 million persons were unemployed in Brazil in the quarter between June and August 2015. In the quarter between March and May 2015, this estimate accounted for 8.2 million, representing an increase of 7.9% or more 647 thousand persons in this contingent. Compared with the same quarter last year, this estimate rose 29.6%, resulting in an increase of 2.0 million unemployed persons in the labor market.

O número de pessoas ocupadas foi estimado em 92,1 milhões e não apresentou variação estatisticamente significativa em relação ao trimestre de março a maio de 2015. Frente ao mesmo trimestre de 2014, esta estimativa também ficou estável.

The number of workers with a formal contract in the private sector declined 1.2% (less 425 thousand persons) against the quarter between March and May 2015. It was a steeper reduction compared with that in the same quarter a year ago (June-August 2014): -3.0%, or about 1.1 million persons.  The contingents of employers and self-employed workers increased 7.3% and 4.4%, respectively, against the quarter between June and August 2014.

The analysis of the employment according to the groups of activities showed a retraction of 1.7% in the whole Industry (less 223 thousand persons) in relation to the quarter between March and May 2015. Compared with the quarter between June and August 2014, four groups of activities registered significant changes, two drops and two rises: Overall Industry (-3.5%), Construction (-2.9%), Lodging and food (4.6%) and Transportation, Storage and Mailing (3.8%).

The average usual real earnings from all jobs of employed persons were estimated at R$ 1,882, recording a decline of 1.1% against the quarter between March and May 2015 (R$ 1,904). When compared with the same quarter last year, they were stable (R$ 1,864).

Compared with the quarter between March and May 2015, Domestic workers had their earnings reduced (-2.7%), as well as Workers of the private sector with a formal contract (-1.8%). Compared with the quarter between June and August 2014, all the categories of employment type remained stable as to their earnings.

The average usual real wage bill earned by employed persons from all jobs (R$ 167.8 billion) dropped 1.1% in relation to the quarter between March and May 2015 and remained stable against the same quarter of 2014.