(Updated on 06/23/05, at 10:02 am)

With an unemployment rate of 10.2% in May, PME presents the first significant fall this year. In comparison with April (10.8), the fall was 0.6 percentage point and in comparison with May 2004 (12.2%), it was about 2.0 percentage points.

The activity rate (57.0%) was stable according to the monthly comparison.

The employment rate rose in almost all the areas surveyed , and in relation to April, this indicator had the highest positive change (0.7 percentage point) in the new survey series.

In comparison with April, the number of employees with a formal contract grew by 1.8%, that is, 141 thousand more people in the six regions.

Among the groups of activity, compared to April, the positive highlights were industry, which offered 101 thousand new jobs, and education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security (2.3%), whose growth of 4.8% in Rio de Janeiro was the greatest contributor to this result.

The real average income of the employed population estimated to be R$ 932.80, had the second consecutive fall this year: -1.5% over April. According to the survey, this fall was caused by a reduction of 1.2% in the income of employees of the public sector, besides the decreased acquisitive power of income of own-account workers (-3.3%) and employers (-2.2%). The income of workers of the private sector did not undergo any changes.

Unemployment Rate

In May 2005, the unemployment rate was 10.2%, the lowest result this year. This rate was 0.6 percentage point inferior to that of April (10.8%). In relation to May 2005, when the rate was 12.2%, the fall was 2.0 percentage points.

By area, in comparison with April 2005, the only place that underwent changes was São Paulo, with a fall of 0.9 percentage point. Compared to May 2004, the regions where the rate changed significantly were Belo Horizonte (from 10.9% to 8.9%), Rio de Janeiro (from 9.6% to 8.5%), São Paulo (from 13.6% to 10.5%) and Porto Alegre (from 9.7% to 7.7%). In the other areas, there was stability.

See below the evolution of the Unemployment Rate by metropolitan area

Unemployment Rate by Metropolitan Area (%)

Month/Year

TOTAL

Recife

Salvador

Belo Horizonte

Rio de Janeiro

São Paulo

Porto Alegre

may/03

12.8

15.1

17.3

11.0

9.6

14.6

10.2

jun/03

13.0

14.9

17.9

12.1

9.8

14.5

10.2

jul/03

12.8

14.2

17.6

11.4

9.6

14,5

9.5

aug/03

13.0

15.0

17.6

12.1

9.5

14.9

9.8

sep/03

12.9

15,0

17.6

10.8

9.7

14.8

10.1

oct/03

12.9

14,4

17.0

11.2

9,4

15.0

10.1

nov/03

12.2

14.0

16.4

10.3

8.9

14.0

9.4

dec/03

10.9

12.1

15.7

10.4

8.6

11.8

7.9

jan/04

11.7

12.8

16.2

12.3

8.9

12.9

7.6

feb/04

12.0

12.7

17.1

11.9

8.6

13.6

8.5

mar/04

12.8

12.6

17.1

12.1

9.8

14.6

9.6

apr/04

13.1

14.3

16.6

11.4

10.7

14.5

10.7

may/04

12.2

13.3

16.2

10.9

9.6

13.6

9.7

jun/04

11.7

12.8

14.9

10.5

8.9

13.3

9.5

jul/04

11.2

13.4

14.9

10.7

8.1

12.5

8.9

aug/04

11.4

13.5

16.6

10.2

8.6

12.6

8.5

sep/04

10.9

12.4

15.6

10.2

8.8

11.7

8.7

oct/04

10.5

12.1

15.8

9.6

8.5

11.2

7.6

nov/04

10.6

11.2

15.9

9.2

9.4

11.2

7.8

dec/04

9.6

11.1

15.4

8.5

8.5

9.8

6.6

jan/05

10.2

12.2

15.8

9.8

7.4

11.1

7.0

feb/05

10.6

13.2

15.6

9.9

8.4

11.5

7.1

mar/05

10.8

14.1

15.7

10.7

8.4

11.5

7.9

apr/05

10.8

13.0

17.0

9.5

8.6

11.4

8.0

may/05

10.2

12.8

15.9

8.9

8.5

10.5

7.7

 

Unemployed Persons¹ (PO)

PME registered, in the monthly comparison, fall of 5.1% in the number of unemployed persons, in all the six areas surveyed. In comparison with May 2004, there was also fall of-15.6%, that is, 414 thousand people.

In the analysis by area, in comparison with April, there were changes only in São Paulo (-8.5%). Over May 2004, there was reduction in the number of unemployed persons in Belo Horizonte (-16.2%), Rio de Janeiro (-11.8%), São Paulo (-22.4%) and Porto Alegre (-18.7%). In Recife and Salvador, there was stability.

According to the results of May 2005, women are the majority of the unemployed persons, representing 51.8% in May 2002; 54.4% in May 2003; 56.2% in May 2004; and 57.1% in May 2005.

 

Among the unemployed, 20.2% were looking for their first job

Among the unemployed persons, 20.2% were looking for their first job and 25.4% were head of the household. In terms of period of search, 21.4% had been looking for a job for a period of 30 days at most; 46.1%, for a period of time between 31 days and 6 months; 7.6%, from 7 to 11 months; and 25.0%, for at least one year. In May 2003, 40.4% of the unemployed persons had at least finished high school, a percentage that reached 43.6% in May 2004, and 47.5% in May 2005.

 

Employed Population (PD)

In May, the estimated number of people employed was 19.8 million. Over April, there was growth of 1.2% and, in the comparison with May 2004, the increase was 3.8%, that is, 719 thousand people.

In the analysis by area, in the monthly comparison, the metropolitan areas of Recife (2.5%), Belo Horizonte (2.9%) and Porto Alegre (2.8%) had significant changes in the contingent of employed persons. Over May 2004, there was increase in Salvador (5.5%), Belo Horizonte (5.4%), São Paulo (4.6%) and Porto Alegre (5.6%). In the other areas there was stability.

 

Regarding employment rates ² (51,2%), there was improvement in the job market over April (0.7 percentage point), and May 2004 (0.9 percentage point). In the analysis by area, in terms of the monthly comparison, Recife (0.9 percentage point), Salvador (0.8 percentage point), Belo Horizonte (1.5 percentage point) and Porto Alegre (1.3 percentage point) changed. In relation to May 2004, there was increase in Salvador (1.5 percentage point), Belo Horizonte (1.4 percentage point), São Paulo (1.4 percentage point) and Porto Alegre (1.6 percentage point). In the other regions, the  employment rate was stable.

The estimated employment rate (employed population/economically active population) of 89.8% in May 2005, increased as much in comparison with  April (0.6 percentage point), as with May 2004 (2.0 percentage points).

In May 2005, men represented 56.0% of the employed population and women, 44.0%. The population between 25 and 49 years-old made up 63.7% of the overall number of persons employed. The survey also showed that the percentage of employed persons and of persons having 11 or more years of education was 50.2%, in May 2005. 

The size of the enterprise is another characteristic observed in the survey, which estimated a percentage of 56.7% persons working for enterprises with eleven or more employees. For the enterprises with a number of employees between 6 and 10, this percentage was 6.5%, whereas for those with a maximum of 5 persons employed the percentage was 36.8%.

In May 2005, 47.3% of the employed population worked between 40 and 44 hours a week and about 34.2%, over 45 hours a week.

On average, 67.5% of the employees, in the six regions surveyed, had kept the same job for at least two years; 11.1% for more than one and less than 2 years; 19.4% between 1 month and 1 year; and only 2.0% had been employed for less than a month.

 

Analysis by groups of activity

 

• Mining and quarrying industry, manufacturing industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water (17.6% of all the employed persons). In the six areas surveyed, in comparison with April, the number of  employed persons grew by 3.0%, that is, an increase of approximately 101 thousand people. In the annual comparison, there was stability. Among the areas, in both comparisons, there was instability only in Salvador, with a chnage of 11.6% in the annual comparison.

   

 

 

 

• Construction(7.2% of all the employed persons) In the six regions, in comparison with April, this estimate was not changed. However, in the annual comparison, change of 6.2% was observed in Salvador. In the analysis by area, there was stability in all the areas in both comparisons.

   

   

 

 

 

• Trade, repair of automotive vehicles, personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade (19.8% of all the employed persons) This activity remained stable in relation to January and in relation to February 2005, as well as to May 2004. In the analysis by area, in relation to April, there was stability in the areas surveyed. In the annual comparison, there was change only in Belo Horizonte (12.1%).

• Services rendered to enterprises, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation (13.4% of all the employed persons) There was stability in the number of persons employed in relation to April and May 2004. By area, there were no changes in either comparison (monthly or annual)

• Education, health, social services public administration, defense and social security (16.0% of all the employed persons). There was change of 2.3% in the comparison with April and of 4.5% in the comparison with May 2004. In the analysis by area, only Rio de Janeiro (4.8%) had significant change over April. The annual comparison, showed changes in Recife (9.7%) and Rio de Janeiro (8.1%).

•  

  Domestic services (8.4% of all the employed persons). In the comparison with April 2005, there were not significant changes in any of the six areas. In relation to May 2004, however, there was change of 10.8%. In the analysis by area, in the monthly comparison, there was stability in all the regions surveyed. In relation to May 2004, there were changes in Salvador (23.0%) and São Paulo (15.4%).

   

   

• Other services (lodging, transportation, urban sanitation and personal services) (16.8% of all the employed persons) There was, in all the six areas considered in the survey, stability in both comparisons. In the analysis by area, in the monthly comparison, only Belo Horizonte presented change (7.6%). In relation to May 2004, there was change only in Porto Alegre (12.9%).

 

Analysis by classes of workers in the labor market

• Employees WITH a formal contract in the private sector ³ (40.5% of all the employed persons) In the six areas, in relation to April, the number of persons in the job market grew by 1.8%. In relation to May 2004, tha change was 7.1%. In the analysis by area, in the monthly comparison, no changes were observed. In relation to May 2004, there were changes in Recife (8.8%), Belo Horizonte (12.1%), São Paulo (9.1%) and Porto Alegre (9.3%).

• Employees WITHOUT a formal contract in the private sector³ (15.7% of all the employed persons). There was stability both in comparison with April and in comparison with May 2004. In the analysis by area, in the monthly comparison, there was change only in Porto Alegre (11.3%). In the annual comparison, there were changes in (-10.8%) and Belo Horizonte (-11.7%). Porto Alegre, on the other hand, was the only metropolitan area to have a significant increase in this estimate (19.0%).

• Own-account workers (19.0% of all the employed population) No changes were observed in any of the six metropolitan areas surveyed, in either comparison (monthly or annual).

 

People at working age (PIA)

In May 2005, there were 38.7 million⁴ people at working age in the six metropolitan areas surveyed. There were no changes in April. In the comparison with May 2004, an increase of 2.0% was observed, that is, 767 thousand people at working age in one year.

 

Women constituted, in May 2005, most of the working age population (53.6%), and men the other 46.4%. By age groups, the working age population was distributed as follows: 9.2% between 10 and 14 years old; 6.1% between 15 and 17 years old; 15.1% between 18 and 24 years old; 44.7% between 25 and 49 years old, and 24.9% who were at least 50 years old. The group of people between 16 and 24 years old, target group of My First Job Program, made up, in May 2005, 19.1% of the population at working age.

Economically Active Population (PEA)

The number persons in the job market remained stable in relation to April and grew by 1.4% in comparison with May 2004. The estimated employment rate (proportion of people working in relation to economically active population, in terms of people at least 10 years of age) was 57.0%. This result remained stable in both comparisons.

Most of the economically active population in May 2005 was composed of men (54.6%). Women accounted for 45.4% and the highest level of female participation in the job market occurred in Salvador (47.0%). By age groups, results concerning May were the following: 0.3% between 10 and 14 years old; 2.4%, between 15 and 17 years old; 18.6%, between 18 and 24 years old; 61.8%, between 25 and 49 years old; and 16.8%, at least 50 years old. The group of people between 16 and 24 years old, target group of My First Job Program, represented, in May 2005, 20.6% of the economically active population.

In the analysis by area, in the comparison with April 2005, there was significant change in the PEA in Belo Horizonte (2.2%) and Porto Alegre (2.4%). Concerning May 2005, there was increase in Salvador (5.1%), Belo Horizonte (3.0%) and Porto Alegre (3.2%). In the other areas, there was stability.

Non-economically active population (PNEA)

The non-economically active population was not considered employed or unemployed according to the methodology of the survey. The estimated number concerning this group, in May 2005, was 16.7 million, all over the six metropolitan areas. There was stability in this indicator in relation to April. In comparison with May 2004, there was increase of 2.8%, that is, 461 thousand people.

Women made up 64.5% of the PNEA, and men 35.5%. Concerning the economically active population, women made up 45.4% and men 54.6%.

People under 18 or over 50 years old represented 32.0% and 35.6%, respectively, of the PNEA. However, the same age groups composed only 2.7% and 16.8% of PEA, respectively.

 

In terms of PEA, only 16.4% would like to work and were available to take over a position if offered one. Only 5.7% had worked or looked for a job the previous year. It is worth mentioning, anyway, that 0.1% of the non-economically active persons informed they had stopped looking for a job for not having been able to find one for three main reasons: difficulties in finding a job; for not being offered a reasonable salary; for having difficulties in finding a job to suit their qualifications. With reference to years of schooling, 72.3% had not finished high school.

REAL AVERAGE INCOME⁵

In May, the real average income of the employed persons for the six areas surveyed, was R$ 932.80, equivalent to about 3.1 minimum wages. In relation to April, there was fall of 1.5% and in comparison with May 2005, there was stability.

In comparison with April, Recife (-3.1%), Salvador (-3.9%), Belo Horizonte (-1.0%) and Rio de Janeiro (-3.2) presented fall in the real average income of employed persons. In São Paulo (-0.3%) and Porto Alegre (-0.3), there were practically no changes.

In relation to May 2004, the real average income of employed persons fell in Salvador (-3.0%) and São Paulo (-0.9%). Recife, (7.5%), Belo Horizonte (6.5%) and Porto Alegre (1.3%) presented positive results. In Rio de Janeiro, no changes were observed. 

Income by categories of employment conditions (monthly comparison)

In all the six areas, income levels remained stable for the employees with a formal contract in the private sector (R$ 955.90). For the category of workers without a formal contract in the private sector, there was fall of (-0.9%), with average monthly income changing from R$ 609.89 to R$ 604.50. The category of own-account workers also presented negative change (-3.3%) and the average monthly income changed from R$ 739.72 to R$ 715.30.

 

Income by categories of employment conditions (annual comparison)

In the six regions, there was fall in the income of employees with a formal contract in the private sector. (-1.7%): from R$ 972.28 to R$ 955.90. For the category, employees without a formal contract in the private sector, there was also fall  from R$ 620.70 to R$ 604.50 (2.6%). The income of own-account workers changed by -4.2%, with the average income falling from R$ 746.97 to R$ 715.30.

_________________________________

1

 Classified as unemployed for not being employed when the survey was conducted, for being able to work in the week of reference and for having tried to find a job in the period of 30 days before the survey. 

2

Proportion of employed persons in relation to working age population.

3

Excluding private household workers, military, public and statutory servants and other employees of the public sector.

 

4

The estimates of absolute  values were calculated incorporating new populational prospects, according to the methodology launched by IBGE in October 2004.

5

For the calculation of the real income, the deflator used for each area is INPC (National Consumer Price Index) for each respective metropolitan area. For the income of the group of six metropolitan areas included in the survey, the deflator is the weighted mean of the price indexes of these areas. The variable used is the population dwelling in the urban region of the metropolitan area.