The unemployment rate registered by the Monthly Employment Survey of IBGE, in the six main metropolitan areas of the country (Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre), was 9.3%, presenting increase in the comparison with December (8.4%) of 0.9 percentage points.  In relation to the same month of the previous year (9.2%), the rate did not change.  The survey registered, still, increase in the number of unemployed persons (1) (2.1 million) in the comparison with the previous month (10.7%), which represented more 203 thousand persons searching work in the total of the six surveyed areas.  Although almost all the investigated areas of the PME showed a trend of hike in the estimate of growth in the number of unemployed persons, this trend was more significant in the metropolitan areas of Salvador (9.2%), Belo Horizonte (18.1%), São Paulo (12.2%) and Porto Alegre (21.5%).

Also, in January, the average real income of workers had decrease of -1.1% in the comparison with December 2006.  In relation to January 2006, the survey registered gain of 4.7%.  In all the classes of workers it could be observed hike in the income: employee with a formal contract (3.5%), employee without a formal contract (2.2%) and own-account worker (5.5%).

In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with last December, there was hike in the rate of unemployment in four metropolitan areas: Salvador (12.4% to 13.5%), Belo Horizonte (7.1% to 8.4%), São Paulo (9.0% to 10.1%) and Porto Alegre (6.6% to 8.1%).  In the metropolitan areas of Recife and Rio de Janeiro the performance was of stability.  In the comparison with January 2006, only the metropolitan area of Recife (15.3% to 11.6%) had change in this estimate. 

Persons in active-age (PIA) – persons with 10 years old or more

In January 2007, the PME estimated a number of approximately 40.1 million persons in active-age for the total of the six metropolitan areas included in the survey.  This estimate did not change in relation to last December.  In the comparison with January 2006, the increase was of 1.8%, which means an increase of 713 thousand persons in active-age in one year.

In the analysis by sex, it was observed that women represented, in January 2007, the majority of the population in active-age (53.3%), while men, 46.7%.  The population in active-age was distributed, according to the age group, in the following way: 9.3% from 10 to 14 years old, 5.7% from 15 to 17 years old, 14.3% from 18 to 24 years old, 44.2% from 25 to 49 years old and 26.5% from 50 years old and over.  The youth group from 16 to 24 years old represented, in January 2007, 18.1% of the PIA.

Economically active persons (PEA –employed persons and persons searching jobs)

In January 2007, the number of persons in the labor force was estimated in 22.6 million, presenting stability in relation to December 2006.  In the comparison with the same month of the previous year growth was registered (2.6%), which means, that in one year, 569 thousand persons entered the labor market.

In the comparison with the previous month, all the metropolitan areas had stability in this estimate.  Nevertheless, in relation to January 2006, changes were observed in the metropolitan areas of Belo Horizonte (6.5%) and of São Paulo (3.5%).  The metropolitan areas of Recife, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre did not have changes.

In the analysis by sex, it could be observed that men continued to represent, in January 2007, the majority of the economically active population (55.0%).
The distribution of the economically active population by age group showed that: 0.2% were in the group from 10 to 14 years old; 2.3%, from 15 to 17 years old; 17.8%, from 18 to 24 years old; 61.7%, from  25 to 49 years old and 18.0%, from 50 years old or more.  The youth group from 16 to 24 years old represented, in January 2007, 19.8% of the PEA.  Among the economically active persons, 46.1% were the main head of family.

The labor force participation rate (proportion of economically active persons in relation to the number of persons of 10 years old or more) did not register change in both periods of comparison, in the total of the six areas.  In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with the previous month, the scenario was of stability in all the surveyed areas.  In the comparison with January 2006, only in the metropolitan areas of Belo Horizonte change was observed (2 percentage points).

Employed persons (PO)

The number of employed persons, estimated in 20.5 million in January 2007, fell in the comparison with December 2006 (-1.2%).  In relation to the same month of the previous year, the number of employed persons increased by 2.6%, approximately 512 thousand persons.

In the analysis by areas, in relation to December 2006, the number of employed persons only registered significant change in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (-2.3%).  In the annual comparison, the metropolitan areas of Recife (3.9%), Salvador (4.2%), Belo Horizonte (6.3%) and São Paulo (2.4%) had change in the number of employed persons.  The other areas continued stable.

Considering the level of employment (2) (51.2%), the results show decrease in the monthly comparison   (-0.7%) and stability in the comparison with January 2006, for the total of the six areas. In the monthly comparison, the metropolitan areas of Recife (-1.1 percentage points), Belo Horizonte (-1.0 percentage points) and Porto Alegre (-1.3 percentage points) showed decrease in this estimate.  In the annual comparison, two areas had increase: Recife (1.2 percentage points) and Belo Horizonte (1.7 percentage points).  In the other areas there was not change.

In January 2007, the survey showed, still, that men represented 56.0% of the employed population, while women, 44.0%.  The population from 25 to 49 years old represented 63.2% of the total employed population.  The survey also showed that the percentage of employed persons in January 2007 with 11 years or more of study was 53.5%.

According to the Monthly Employment Survey, 48.6% of the employed population had, in January 2007, 40 to 44 weekly hours of work and approximately 34.0%, over 45 weekly hours of work.  On the average, according to the survey, 68.1% of workers had that work for at least 2 years; 11.9% from 1 year to less than 2 years; 18.2% from one month to one year and only 1.9% were on that job for a period less than  one month.

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

• Mining and quarrying, manufacturing industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water, 17.3% of the employed population. The number of employed persons in this group of activity continued stable in relation to December 2006 as well as in relation to January 2006, for the total of the six areas.  In the analysis by areas, no change was observed in this group in none of the surveyed areas, in both comparisons. 

• Construction, 7.2% of the employed population. In the total of the six areas, in both comparisons, the number of employed persons in this group was stable.  In the analysis by areas, change was observed in this group only in the metropolitan areas of Recife (-13.9%) in relation to last December.  Compared to January 2006, the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte changed (15.2%) and in the other areas the scenario was stable.  
• Trade, repair of automotive vehicles and of personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade, 19.2% of the employed population. The number of employed persons in this group of activity registered decrease in the monthly comparison (-3.5%), for the total of the six areas and did not change in relation to January 2006.  In the analysis by areas, change was registered in this group of activity in Recife (-7.6%), in relation to the previous month.  In the comparison with January 2006 change was observed in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (8.6%).

• Services rendered to companies, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation, 14.8% of the employed population. The number of employed persons in this group of activity did not have change in the monthly comparison and in relation to the previous year it registered increase of 5.1%.  In the analysis by areas, in the comparison with the previous month, no change was observed in none of the surveyed areas.  In the comparison with January 2006, Salvador registered hike of 19.3% and São Paulo 6.6%.

• Education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security, 15.4% of the employed population. In the total of the six areas, in both comparisons, the number of employed persons in this group was stable.  In the analysis by areas, compared to December, no change was observed in none of the surveyed areas.  In the annual comparison hike was observed in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (12.7%).

• Domestic services, 8.1% of the employed population. The number of employed persons in this group of activity was stable in both comparisons.  In the analysis by areas, change was observed in this group only in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre (-8.5%), in the monthly comparison and in the comparison with the previous year there was stability in all the areas. 

• Other services (lodging, transportation, urban sanitation and personal services), 17.4% of the employed population. The number of employed persons in this group of activity was stable in relation to last December and registered a positive change compared to January 2006 (6.4%).  In the analysis by areas, in the monthly comparison, no change was observed in this estimate. In relation to January 2006, the scenario was of hike in two metropolitan areas: Recife (11.7%) and São Paulo (10.3%).  The other areas did not have change.

Analysis of classes of workers in the labor market

• Employees WITH a formal contract in the private sector (excluding domestic workers, military, statutory public servants and others), 41.7% of the employed population. In relation to December 2006, the number of workers in this category in the labor market was stable.  Compared to January 2006 there was a positive change of 4.1%, which means, increase of approximately 337 thousand persons working with a formal contract.  In the analysis by areas, regarding the monthly comparison, there was stability in all the surveyed areas.  In relation to January 2006, there was a positive change in the metropolitan areas of Recife (6.7%), Salvador (10.2%), Belo Horizonte (5.0%) and São Paulo (6.0%).

• Employees WITHOUT a formal contract in the private sector (excluding domestic workers, military, statutory public servants and others), 14.4% of the employed population.  The number of workers in this category was stable in both comparisons for the total of the six areas.  In the analysis by areas, in relation to the previous month, stability was observed in all the surveyed areas, and in the comparison with January 2006, São Paulo fell by 7.0%.

• Own-account workers, 19.6% of the employed population. Decrease was observed in the number of workers in this category in the monthly comparison (-2.5%) and, in relation to January 2006, hike of 6.8% for the total of the six areas.  In the analysis by areas, the scenario was of stability in all the areas in the monthly comparison.  In the comparison with January 2006 hike was observed in the metropolitan area of São Paulo (11.9%).  

Average Real Income (3)

In January 2007, the survey estimated the average real income (4) usually earned by workers in the total of the six metropolitan areas in R$ 1,066.10, presenting decrease of 1.1% in relation to last December.  In comparison with January 2006, the scenario was of recovery (4.7%).

In the analysis by areas, in relation to December, there was recovery in the following metropolitan areas: Recife (1.3%) and Belo Horizonte (3.3%). An opposite trend was registered in the metropolitan areas of Salvador (-3.9%), São Paulo (-2.1%), Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre (-0.6%).  In the annual comparison, the performance was of hike in all the metropolitan areas: Recife (9.1%), Salvador (1.7%), Belo Horizonte (9.8%), Rio de Janeiro (3.3%), São Paulo (4.8%) and Porto Alegre (3.5%). 

Income of classes of workers in the monthly comparison

For the total of the six areas, the following scenario was observed:

• Employees with a formal contract in the private sector Decrease was observed (-1.5%), in the average income estimated in R$ 1,043.20.  In the metropolitan areas of Recife (-4.5%), Salvador (-4.8%), São Paulo (-2.2%) and Porto Alegre (-2.0%) decreases were registered in the income of this category.  In the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (0.7%) and Rio de Janeiro (1.1%) the performance was of hike in the income.  

• Employees without a formal contract in the private sector Hike was observed (3.7%) in the average income, estimated in R$ 718.50 in January 2007.  In the metropolitan areas of Belo Horizonte (6.5%), Rio de Janeiro (5.5%) and São Paulo (5.3%) gains were observed.  In Recife (-6.4%), Salvador (-1.4%) and Porto Alegre (-2.3%) the trend was of decrease in the income of this category.

• Own-account workers Negative change was observed (4.6%), with the average income changing from R$ 909.33 to R$ 867.70.  The metropolitan areas of Recife (-1.3%), Rio de Janeiro (-3.1%), São Paulo (-9.0%) and Porto Alegre (-1.5%) registered decreases. In the metropolitan areas of Salvador (2.7%) and Belo Horizonte (1.2%) gains were observed.

Income of classes of workers in the annual comparison

• For the total of the six areas, the income of employees with a formal contract in the private sector, estimated in R$ 1,043.20 had recovery of 3.5% in relation to January 2006.  The workers of the metropolitan areas of Recife (10.1%), Salvador (4.9%), Belo Horizonte (6.5%), São Paulo (3.7%) and Porto Alegre (4.4%) had gains in the income.  In the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro stability was observed.

• For the total of the six areas, the category employees without a formal contract in the private sector  had hike of 2.2% in the income, changing from R$ 702.74 to R$ 718.50.  The workers of the metropolitan areas of Salvador (13.2%), Belo Horizonte (22.7%) and São Paulo (6.2%) had gains in the income.  Decreases were observed in the metropolitan areas of Recife (-0.7%), Rio de Janeiro (-7.3%) and Porto Alegre (-11.3%).

• For the total of six areas, in the category own-account workers, the income had recovery (5.5%).  In all the metropolitan areas the scenario was of recovery in the income: Recife (11.4%), Salvador (10.1%), Belo Horizonte (14.6%), Rio de Janeiro (1.4%), São Paulo (2.8%) and Porto Alegre (11.0%).

Analysis of the average income of workers by groups of activity

In the comparison with December 2006, it was observed:

• increase in the average real income usually earned by workers in the following groups of activity: construction (2.6%) and education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security (0.6%). 

• decrease in the average real income usually earned of workers in the following groups of activity: mining and quarrying, manufacturing industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water (-0.7%), trade, repair of automotive vehicles and of personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade (-1.9%), services rendered to companies, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation (-3.1%) and other services (-2.6%).                 

• stability in the average real income of the following group of activity: domestic services.

In the comparison with January 2006, it was observed:

• increase in the average real income of workers in the following groups of activity: mining and quarrying, manufacturing industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water (1.9%); construction  (13.5%); trade, repair of automotive vehicles and of personal and domestic objects and retail fuel trade (2.5%); services rendered to companies, rents, real estate activities and financial mediation (3.9%); education, health, social services, public administration, defense and social security (7.1%) and other services (4.7%).

Notes

(1) These persons were classified as being unemployed because they were not working, because were willing to work in the week of reference and because they had taken action in order to find a job in the thirty preceding days of the week they answered the survey.

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

(3) Income usually earned.

(4) For the calculation of the real income, the deflator used for each area was the Consumer Price Index - INPC 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.