In the beginning of 2006, the estimated unemployment rate was 9.2%, versus 8.3% in December 2005. This result was a consequence of the reduction of temporary jobs and the return of the job searching period. Despite the increase, this estimate still is the second lowest result of the series. In the comparison with January 2005 (10.2%), the rate fell by 1.0 percentage point. In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with December 2005, there was not increase in the metropolitan areas of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, where the tourism market helped to delay the dismissal of temporary workers.

From December to January, the number of employed persons fell by 1.1%, which represents approximately 232 thousand fewer jobs.

Employment with a formal contract remained stable in relation to December 2005. Nevertheless, in one year, 492 thousand jobs with formal contract were created, which means, an increase of approximately 6.4% in relation to January 2005. Self –employed workers were less 148 thousand persons in the monthly comparison.

The group Other services (lodging, transportation, urban sanitation and personal services), with loss of 104 thousand persons, was the only one to have significant change in the number of employed persons in the monthly comparison. Also stood out the trend of growth in the last months in the group of outsourcing, mainly in the annual comparison of this indicator. Compared to January 2005, the change in Services rendered to companies, rents, real-estate activities and financial mediation was 7.1%.

 

 

Regarding the real average income usually earned, the estimated value was R$ 985.90, which represents a fall of 1.2% in the monthly comparison. In relation to January 2005, the scenario was of recovery in the worker’s income (2.3%).

 

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

The reduction of temporary workers and the return to job searching are the main factors that always lead to the increase of the unemployment rate in January. In the beginning of 2006, the scenario was different: the unemployment rate, for the total of the six surveyed areas, was estimated in 9.2% compared to 8.3% in December 2005. Despite this increase, the estimate was still the second lowest result of the series. In the comparison with January 2005 (10.2%), the rate continued lower.

In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with December 2005, a significant change was observed in Belo Horizonte, with the rate changing from 7.0% to 8.1%, in São Paulo (from 7.8% to 9.2%) and in Porto Alegre (from 6.7% to 7.7%). In the other areas, there was stability. Compared to January 2005, two areas had reductions in this indicator: Belo Horizonte (from 9.8% to 8.1%) and São Paulo (from 11.1% to 9.2%). In the other areas, the scenario was of stability.

 

EMPLOYED POPULATION

The total of employed persons, estimated in 20.0 million in January 2006, fell in the comparison with December. In the comparison with January 2005, the scenario was of hike, being observed a growth of 2.6%, which means more 510 thousand persons.

In the analysis by areas, in the monthly comparison, only Belo Horizonte (-2.5%) and Porto Alegre (-2.6%) did not have stability in this estimate. Compared to January 2005, there was increase in the number of employed persons in Salvador (3.1%), Belo Horizonte (5.0%), São Paulo (2.7%) and Porto Alegre (2.8%). In the other areas, the scenario was of stability.

Considering the level of employment (1)(50.8%), as it was expected, the results indicated fall in this estimate (-0.7 percentage point), in the monthly comparison, due to the dismissal of temporary workers. Compared to January 2005, there was not significant change. Among the areas, in the monthly comparison, the scenario was of stability, except in Belo Horizonte (-1.2 percentage point) and Porto Alegre (-1.3 percentage point). In relation to January 2005, only Belo Horizonte had expansion in the level of employment (1.5 percentage point).

In January 2006, the survey showed that men represented 56.1% of the employed population, while women, 43.9%. The population from 25 to 49 years old amounted to 63.3% of the total employed persons. The survey also showed that the percentage of employed persons with 11 years or more of schooling was 51.7%.

The size of the enterprises is another characteristic observed by the survey, which estimated in 57.3% the proportion of persons working in enterprises with 11 or more persons. In the enterprises with 6 to 10 employed persons, this proportion was 6.4%, and in those with up to 5 employed persons, 36.3%.

According to the PME, 47.7% of the employed population had 40 to 44 working hours per week and approximately 34.9% over 45 weekly hours. On the average, 67.7% of the workers, in the six surveyed areas, had had that job for at least, 2 years; 12.2% from 1 year to at least 2 years; 18.3% between one month and one year and only 1.8% had been in that job for at least one month.

Analysis of the results in relation to the main groups of activity

Mining and quarrying, manufacturing and distribution of electricity, gas and water, 17.4% of the employed population. In the total of the six areas, in both comparisons, the total of employed persons in this group had stability. In the analysis by areas, there was significant change only in Salvador: in the monthly comparison, there was fall by 8.5% and, in relation to January 2005, growth by 15.0%.

Construction - 7.3% of the employed population. In the total of the six areas, in both comparisons, the total of employed persons was stable. In the analysis by areas, in both comparisons, none of the surveyed metropolitan areas changed.

Trade, repair of automotive vehicles and personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade, 19.8% of the employed population. The total of employed persons in this group of activity was stable in both comparisons. All the areas were stable in both comparisons.

Services rendered to companies, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation, 14.4% of the employed population. The total of employed persons in this group of activity continued stable in relation to December 2005 and changed by 7.1% compared to January 2005. No area changed in relation to December 2005. In the comparison with January 2005, Recife (14.0%), Belo Horizonte (9.1%) Rio de Janeiro (7.4%) and Porto Alegre (22.0%) changed.

Education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security, 15.5% of the employed population. It was registered a significant change in the total employed persons only in the annual comparison (4.5%). In the analysis by areas, in relation to December 2005, the scenario was of stability in all the surveyed areas. In the annual comparison, change was only observed in Recife (12.8%).

Domestic services, 8.2% of the employed population. The total of employed persons was stable in the monthly comparison. In relation to January 2005, there was a hike of 5.5%. In the analysis by areas, compared to December 2005, the scenario changed only in Recife (10.9%). In relation to January 2005, there was change only in São Paulo (11.6%).

Other services (lodging, transportation, urban sanitation and personal services), 16.8% of the employed population. The total of employed persons fell by 3.0% in the monthly comparison. In relation to January 2005, the scenario was of stability. In the analysis by areas, in the monthly comparison, the scenario only changed in Recife (-7.7%). In the annual comparison, there was fall in Recife (-10.2%) and in Rio de Janeiro (-5.8) and hike in Belo Horizonte (10.4%). In the other areas, the scenario was of stability.

  

Analysis of the classes of workers in the labor market

Employees WITH a formal contract in the private sector (2), 41.6% of the employed persons. In relation to December 2005, the total of workers was stable. Compared to January 2005, there was change of 6.4%, which means an increase of approximately 492 thousand persons. In the analysis by areas only Porto Alegre (-3.9%) changed in the monthly comparison. Compared to January 2005, Belo Horizonte (13.9%), Rio de Janeiro (6.4%), São Paulo (5.0%) and Porto Alegre (7.4%) changed.

Employees WITHOUT a formal contract in the private sector (2), 15.2% of the employed persons. This estimate continued stable in both comparisons. In the analysis by areas, in the monthly comparison, only Belo Horizonte changed (-10.4%). In the annual comparison, there was stability in all the areas.

Self-employed workers, 18.8% of the employed persons. In the monthly comparison, there was fall in the total of workers (-3.8%). In the annual comparison the scenario was of stability. Among the areas, in the monthly comparison, only Rio de Janeiro (-4.1%) and São Paulo (-5.3%) changed. In the annual comparison, there was not change in any area.

ACTIVE-AGE POPULATION (PIA)

In January 2006, the estimated active-age population (persons 10 years old and over), according to the PME, was approximately 39.3 million persons in the total of the six metropolitan areas. In relation to December 2005, the scenario was stable, nevertheless, in relation to January 2005, there was increase of 1.8% (709 thousand persons). In January 2006, women represented 53.3% of the active-age population, while men, 46.7%. The active-age population was distributed, according to age group, in the following way: 9.2% from 10 to 14 years old; 5.9% from 15 to 17 years old; 14.8% from 18 to 24 years old; 44,2% from 25 to 49 years old and the population 50 years old and over, 25.8%. The group of young people from 16 to 24 years old represented, in January 2006, 18.8% of the PIA.

ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE PERSONS (PEA)

In January 2006, in the total of the six surveyed areas, the number of persons in the labor market was estimated in 22.0 million, presenting stability in relation to December. Compared to January 2005, there was increase of 1.6%. In the analysis by areas, the number of economically active persons, in the comparison with December 2005, was stable in all the surveyed metropolitan areas. In the comparison with January 2005, Recife (4.8%), Belo Horizonte (3.1%) and Porto Alegre (3.6%) changed in this estimate.

By sex, it could be observed that men represented, in January 2006, the majority of the economically active population (55.1%). The distribution of the economically active population by age group was the following: 0.3% were in the age group from 10 to 14 years old; 2.4%, from 15 to 17 years old; 18.1%, from 18 to 24 years old; 61.7%, from 25 to 49 years old and 17.5%, 50 years old and over. The group of young people from 16 to 24 years old represented, in January 2006, 20.2% of the PEA.

Among the economically active persons, 46.3% were head of the household.

Change was not observed in the activity rate (3)(56.0%) in both comparisons and, in the analysis by areas, in the monthly and annual comparison, the scenario was of stability in this indicator.

 

 

UNEMPLOYED PERSONS (PD)(4)

The reduction of temporary jobs and the return to the searching of jobs are some of the main factors that usually lead to an increase in the estimated unemployment rate in January. In the comparison with December 2005, there was increase of 10.8% in the number of unemployed persons. Nevertheless, the total of unemployed persons (2.0 million) was lower than the number estimated in January 2005 (2.2 million).

In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with December 2005, there was increase in the number of unemployed persons in Belo Horizonte (14.6%), São Paulo (17.7%) and Porto Alegre (13.7%). In the other areas, the scenario was of stability. Compared to January 2005, there was change in Recife (31.1%), Belo Horizonte (-14.6%), São Paulo (-17.0) and Porto Alegre (14.9%). In the other areas, the scenario was of stability.

In January 2006, women represented 54.7% of the unemployed persons.

The survey allows analyzing the search for job in two periods: in the week of reference and in the period of 23 days before the week of reference. It is important to observe that normally the search in the week of reference represents around 85% of the total. In December 2005, this proportion fell to 74%, returning in January 2006 to a regular level, estimated in 84%, which proves the statement that the reduction of search in the last week of the year was due to the holiday period.

Other highlights regarding the profile of unemployed persons in January 2006

Among the unemployed persons, by age group, 8.2% were from 15 to 17 years old; 38.7%, from 18 to 24 years old; 46.1% from 25 to 49 years old and 6.5% had 50 years old and over.

It could also be observed that 21.1% were searching for their first job and 26.8% were head of the household. In relation to the time of job search, the data show that 24.9% had been searching for a job for a period not above 30 days; 41.6%, from 31 days to 6 months; 8.6%, from 7 to 11 months; and 25.0%, for at least one year.

Regarding scholarship, in January 2003, 39.0% of the unemployed persons had at least the secondary instruction concluded; in January 2004, the percentage was 42.2%; in January 2005, it reached 46.1% and, in January 2006, it reached 48.5%.

NON- ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE POPULATION (PNEA)

The non-economically active population not classified by the survey as employed or unemployed, was estimated, for the total of the six metropolitan areas in January 2006, in 17.3 million. This indicator had stability in relation to the month of December 2005. In the comparison with January 2005, an increase of 2.1%, which means 364 thousand persons, was observed.

Some highlights about the profile of non-economically active persons (PNEA)

In PNEA, 63.9% were women and 36.1% men, while among in the economically active, women represented 44.9%, and men, 55.1%.

The population with less than 18 years old and over 50 years old represented 31.0% and 36.5%, respectively, of the non-economically active population. However, only 2.7% and 17.5%, respectively, of the PEA.

In the total of the PNEA, 16.2% would like and were available to work. However, only 6.3% had worked or searched for a job in the previous year (marginally connected to PEA).

In relation to scholarship, 77.9% had not completed secondary instruction.

REAL AVERAGE INCOME (5)

The deflator used for the calculation of the real income for each area is the Consumer Price Index of the metropolitan area produced by the IBGE. In order to calculate the income of the total of the six metropolitan areas covered by the survey, the deflator is the weighed average of the price indexes of these areas. The weighing variable is the resident population in the urban area of the metropolitan area.

For the total of the six areas, the survey estimated the real average income usually earned in R$ 985.90, which represents a fall of 1.2% in relation to December 2005. In the comparison with January 2005, the scenario was of recovery (2.3%).

In the analysis by areas, in relation to December 2005, there was fall in the following metropolitan areas: Recife (-1.8%), Salvador (-2.9%), Rio de Janeiro (-1.2%) and São Paulo (-1.7%). Belo Horizonte was the only area with recovery in the income in this type of comparison (0.9%). In Porto Alegre, there was stability.

Regarding the annual comparison, there was recovery in the income in almost all the areas: Recife (6.9%), Salvador (8.6%), Rio de Janeiro (2.5%), São Paulo (2.1%) and Porto Alegre (1.4%). Belo Horizonte continued stable.

Income of the classes of workers in the MONTHLY comparison

Stability was observed in the income of employees with a formal contact in the private sector, with the average income being estimated in R$ 975.40. Among the areas, Recife (-2.4%), Salvador (-4.7%), Belo Horizonte (-0.6%) and Porto Alegre (-3.1%) fell in this estimate. In São Paulo (0.8%), there was recovery in the income of this category and in Rio de Janeiro, the scenario was of stability.

In the income of employees without a formal contract in the private sector decrease was observed, with the average income being estimated in R$ 680.30 in January 2006 compared to R$ 688.77 in December 2005 (change of –1.2%). Recife (4.8%), Rio de Janeiro (5.3%) and Porto Alegre (6.5%) had gain in the income, while in Salvador (-3.0%), Belo Horizonte (-3.6%) and São Paulo (-4.9%), the scenario was of loss.

In the income of self-employed workers, the change was of –2.3%, with the average income changing from R$ 814.83 to R$ 796.40. All the metropolitan areas had reduction in the income in this category in the labor market: Recife (-9.9%), Salvador (-3.6%), Belo Horizonte (-0.6%), Rio de Janeiro (-1.4%), São Paulo (-1.8) and Porto Alegre (-0.5%).

Income of classes of workers in the ANNUAL comparison

Stability was observed in the income of employees with a formal contract in the private sector, estimated in R$ 975.40, in relation to January 2005. The workers of the metropolitan areas of Salvador (3.4%) and Rio de Janeiro (1.4%) had increase in the income, while in Recife (-1.3%), Belo Horizonte (-1.8%) and Porto Alegre (-0.9%), loss was observed. In São Paulo, the scenario was stable.

Recovery was observed in the income of employees without a formal contract in the private sector, (4.3%), changing from R$ 652.47 to R$ 680.30. The workers of Rio de Janeiro (10.9%), São Paulo (5.2%) and Salvador (6.8%) had recovery in the income. Regarding Recife (-3.2%), Belo Horizonte (-1.0%) and Porto Alegre (-4.7%) loss in the income was observed.

Recovery was observed in the income of the self-employed workers, changing from R$ 753.24 to R$ 796.40. Recovery was registered in the following areas: Salvador (16.0%), Rio de Janeiro (6.2%), São Paulo (8.6%) and Porto Alegre (4.0%). Recife (-2.0%) and Belo Horizonte (-6.1%) had loss in the income.

Analysis of average income of workers by group of activity

In the comparison with December 2005, were observed:

stability in the average real income usually earned in the groups of construction;

increase in the average real income usually earned of the workers of mining and quarrying, manufacturing and distribution of electricity, gas and water (3.7%) and domestic services (0.9%);

decrease in the average real income usually earned of the workers of the following groups: trade, repairing of automotive vehicles and personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade (-1.4%), services rendered to companies, rents, real-estate activities and financial mediation (-3.1%); education, health, social services, public administration and social security (-0.8%) and other services (-4.8%).

Compared to January 2005, were observed:

increase in the average real income of workers of the following activities: mining and quarrying, manufacturing and distribution of electricity, gas and water (9.8%); education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security (3.4%), domestic services (6.4%) and other services (2.1%);

decrease in the average real income usually earned of the workers in the following groups: construction (-7.5%), trade, repairing of automotive vehicles and personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade (-0.6%) and services rendered to companies, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation (-1.8%).

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(1) Proportion of employed persons in relation to active-age population.

(2) Excluding private household worker, military, public and statutory servants and other employees in the public sector.

(3) Proportion of economically active persons in relation to the number of persons 10 years old and over

(4) Persons were classified as being unemployed because they were not working, were willing to work in the week of reference and had taken action in order to get a job in the thirty previous days of the week they answered the survey.

(5) Income usually earned