The estimated unemployment rate was 6.5%, the lowest figure in a month of March since the beginning of the series (March 2002)...

The estimated unemployment rate was 6.5%, the lowest figure in a month of March since the beginning of the series (March 2002). It remained stable in comparison with the rate in the previous month (6.4%). Compared to March 2010 (7.6%), there was decrease of 1.1 percentage points. The unemployed population (1.5 million persons) did not change in relation to the previous month; compared to March last year, there was decrease of 14.0% (250 persons). The employed population (22.3 million) was stable compared to that of February. In relation to March 20120, there was hike of 2.4% in this estimate, representing a total 531thousand more persons employed. The number of workers with a formal contract in the private sector (10.7 million) remained stable in the monthly analysis of March. In the annual comparison, there was increase of 7.4%, what represents a total 739 thousand more workers with a formal employment contract.

The average real income of the employed population, R$ 1,557.00, the highest figure in a month of March since 2002), increased 0.5% in the monthly comparison and 3.8% compared to March last year. The volume of real income usually earned (R$ 35.1 billion) was 0.8% above the rate of February and increased 6.7% in relation to March last year. The volume of real income usually earned by the employed population (R$ 34.8 billion) estimated in February 2011 increased 0.6% in the month and 6.9% in the year.

The Monthly Employment Survey is conducted in the metropolitan areas of Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre. Its complete publication is available at

www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/indicadores/trabalhoerendimento/pme_nova/

Unemployment recorded significant change in Belo Horizonte

By area, in the monthly comparison, the unemployment rate recorded significant decrease in Belo Horizonte only, where it changed from 6.3% to 5.3%. Versus figures in March 2010, there were decreases in Belo Horizonte (1.0 percentage points), Rio de Janeiro (1.5 percentage points), São Paulo (1.3 percentage points) and Porto Alegre (0.9 percentage points):

In the analysis by month, the number of unemployed persons recorded significant change in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte (-15.8%). Compared to March last year, there were decreases in three areas: Rio de Janeiro (22.0%), Belo Horizonte (14.7%) and São Paulo (13.8%).

Employment level was 53.3%  

The employment level (proportion of persons employed in relation to persons at working age) estimated as 53.3% in the total six metropolitan areas, did not change in relation to last February, but recorded increase of 0.6 percentage points versus March 2010. By area, in the monthly comparison, this indicator remained stable in all the areas surveyed. Compared to March 2010, there were increases in Porto Alegre (1.9 percentage points) and in São Paulo (1.0 percentage points). The other areas did not record significant change.

The analysis of employment by groups of activity showed that, from February to March, all the groups remained stable, except Domestic services, which recorded hike of 4.1%. In the comparison by year, there was increase of the number of workers in Services rendered to enterprises, rents, real estate activities and financial intermediation, 4.1%, and in Other services (lodging, feeding, transportation, storage and communications, urban sanitation, associate, cultural and sports activities), 3.9%.

Income of R$ 1,557.00 is the highest in a month of March since 2002

The average real income usually earned by workers (R$ 1,557.00 in the group of six areas surveyed, the highest figure in a month of March since 2002) increased 3.4% in relation to the previous month in Recife, 2.5% in Belo Horizonte and 1.1% in São Paulo. It remained stable in Salvador and recorded decreases of 0.8% in Rio de Janeiro and 1.9% in Porto Alegre. Compared to March 2010, there were increases in Recife, 7.7%, Salvador, 2.7%, Belo Horizonte, 4.1%, Rio de Janeiro, 9.2% and Porto Alegre, 5.7%. In São Paulo, there was stability:

By group of activity, the biggest increase in the average real income usually earned in relation to March 2010 was that of Mining and quarrying industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water (9.3%):

Considering the classification by employment type, the biggest increase in the average real income usually earned in comparison with March last year was that of Military and civil servants (7.9%).