The unemployment rate in the moving quarter ended in February 2016 was estimated at 10.2% for Brazil, staying above the rate of the moving quarter ended in November 2015 (9.0%) and also surpassing that of the same quarter a year ago (7.4%).

The unemployed population (10.4 million persons) grew 13.8% (more 1.3 million persons) in relation to the quarter between September and November 2015 and rose 40.1% (more 3.0 million persons) against the same quarter in 2015.

The employed population (91.1 million persons) reduced 1.1%, when compared with the quarter between September and November 2015 (less 1.0 million persons). Compared with the same quarter in 2015, the drop was of 1.3% (less 1.2 million persons).

The number of persons with a formal contract employed in the private sector dropped 1.5% against the quarter between September and November 2015 (less 527 thousand persons). Compared with the same quarter a year ago, the retraction was of 3.8% (less 1.4 million persons).

The average usual real earnings from all jobs (R$1,934) remained stable against the quarter between September and November 2015 (R$1,954) and fell 3.9% in relation to the same quarter in the previous year (R$2,012).

The usual real wage bill earned by employed persons in all jobs (R$171.3 billion) shrank 2.0% in relation to the quarter between September and November 2015, and reduced 4.7% against the same quarter a year ago. The complete publication of the Continuous PNAD – Monthly Edition 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 February 2016 was calculated based on the information collected in December/2015, January/2016 and February/2016. For example, the information used for the calculation of the indicators for the moving quarters ended in January and February has a percentage of data repetition of about 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 10.4 million unemployed persons lived in Brazil in the quarter between December 2015 and February 2016. In the quarter between September and November 2015, this estimate accounted for 9.1 million, representing an increase of 13.8% (1.3 million persons). Compared with the same quarter a year ago, this estimate rose 40.1% (3.0 million persons).

Persons aged 14 years and over, unemployed in the reference week - Brazil (thousand persons)

The number of employed persons was estimated at 91.1 million, showing a reduction of 1.1% when compared with the quarter between September and November 2015 (-1.0 million persons). When compared with the same quarter in the previous year, a drop of 1.3% was registered (-1.2 million persons)

Persons aged 14 years and over, employed in the reference week - Brazil (thousand persons)

Concerning the employment type, the contingent of those employed in the private sector with a formal contract decreased 1.5% over the quarter between September and November 2015 (-527 thousand persons). When compared with the same quarter in the previous year, the reduction was of 3.8% (-1.4 million persons).

The category of those employed in the private sector without a formal contract shrank 3.8% (-382 thousand persons) in relation to the quarter between September and November 2015 and retracted 4.8% (-493 thousand persons) when compared with the same quarter a year ago.

The participation of employers  reduced 5.8% (-233 thousand persons) in relation to the quarter  between September and November 2015 and 5.4% (-215 thousand persons) in relation to the same quarter in 2015. The category of self-employed workers increased 3.0% (676 thousand persons) over the quarter between September and November 2015 and 7.0% (1.5 million persons) when compared with the same quarter in 2015.

In relation to the quarter between September and November 2015, the analysis of the contingent of employed persons according to the groups of activity showed a downturn in overall industry (-5.9%), information, communication, administrative, professional, real estate and financial activities (-2.5%) and public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (-2.1%) and an upturn in agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquaculture (1.9%). The other groups of activity did not register any statistically-significant change.

Compared with the quarter between December 2014 and February 2015, domestic services (3.9%); transportation, storage and mailing (5.3%) and housing and food (4.3%) recorded increases. On the other hand, overall industry (-10.4%), information, communication and administrative, professional, real estate and financial activities (-7.7%) dropped. The other groups of activity did not register significant changes.

The average usual real earnings from all jobs of employed persons were estimated at R$1,934, maintaining the stability against the quarter between September and November 2015 (R$1,954) and dropping 3.9% over the same quarter a year ago (R$2,012).

Average real earnings from all jobs

Compared with the quarter from September to November 2015, only the group of activity of domestic services increased its average earnings (1.8%). The other groups remained stable. In relation to the same quarter a year ago, the groups of transportation, storage and mailing (-6.3%), trade, motorcycle and car repair (-5.7%) and agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquaculture (7.4%) retracted.

The comparison by employment type, against the quarter between September and November 2015, posted an increase in the average earnings of domestic workers (1.8%). In relation to the quarter from December 2014 to February 2015, the average earnings of the categories of self-employed workers (-5.6%) and employers (9.2%) decreased. The other categories of employment type maintained their earnings stable.

The average usual real wage bill earned by employed persons from all jobs was estimated at R$171.3 billion, decreasing 2.0% in relation to the quarter from September to November 2015 and 4.7% over the same quarter in the previous year.

Monthly usual real wage bill from all Jobs, earned by persons aged 14 years and over, employed in the week of reference, with earnings from work - Brazil