IBGE releases today (August 23, 2012), the Monthly Employment Survey (PME) conducted in the metropolitan areas of Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre, according to the calendar available on the IBGE web site. The survey data refer to the month of July 2012 and, exceptionally, do not include information about the metropolitan areas of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.  The collection of data from these areas has been complete, but the volume of information available for the steps of data tallying, review and analysis was insufficient to generate conclusive results until the date set for release, due to the strike of IBGE servants.  Therefore, this release presents complete data for the metropolitan areas of Recife, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Porto Alegre, only. The complete data relative to the months of June and July, including the Metropolitan Areas of Rio de Janeiro (June and July figures) and Salvador (July figures) will be later informed.

The Monthly Employment Survey produces monthly indicators about labor force that allow the evaluation of labor market fluctuations and medium and long-term tendencies, in each area of coverage, constituting an indicator of the effects of the economic scenario on the market. At the same time, it also fulfills other important needs related to the socio-economic planning of the country.  The survey encompasses information concerning activity status, employment status, nominal and real average income, employment type, existence of signed employment record cards, among others, having housing units the data collection unit.

Unemployment rate falls by 0.8% in São Paulo

In July 2012, the unemployment rate, in the monthly analysis, remained stable in the metropolitan areas of Recife (6.5%), Belo Horizonte (4.4%) and Porto Alegre (3.8%). São Paulo (5.7%) recorded decrease of 0.8 percentage points in this indicator.

Compared to July 2011, there was a 0.8 percentage-point decrease in the unemployment rate of São Paulo and a 0.9 percentage-point decrease in Porto Alegre. The other areas remained stable in 12 months.  

Porto Alegre records decrease of 2.8% in the employed population

In July 2012, the employed population remained stable in Recife, Belo Horizonte and São Paulo. There was decrease of 2.8% in Porto Alegre, what represented decline by 52 thousand persons.

When compared to the estimates of July 2011, this population increased by 2.7% in Recife. There was not significant statistical change in the other regions.

Population employed in industry falls by 9.2% compared to July 2011

The monthly analysis of activity groups recorded decrease of 8.0% of the population employed in services rendered to enterprises in Recife. No statistically significant changes were observed in the metropolitan areas of Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Porto Alegre. 

In the annual analysis, there was increase of 8.7% in construction, in Belo Horizonte, and of 7.2% in education, health and public administration, in São Paulo. In Belo Horizonte, the activity groups of industry and domestic services faced decreases of 9.2% and 10.7%, respectively. All the groups kept stable results in the year, in the metropolitan areas of Recife and Porto Alegre.  

Employment with a signed record card in the private sector increases 3.8% in SP over July 2011

In an analysis of the employed population, considering the different types of participation in the market, it was observed that, from June to July there were no significant changes in any of the areas surveyed. Over July 2011, there was increase of 3.6% in the number of workers with a signed employment record card in Belo Horizonte.  In São Paulo, there was a 3.5% increase in employment with a record card in the private sector and a 13.9% increment among military or civil servants. The metropolitan areas of Recife and Porto Alegre did not face significant changes in the form of participation.   

Average income falls in three metropolitan areas

From June to July 2012, average income fell in the metropolitan areas of Recife (-3.5%), Belo Horizonte (-1.8%) and São Paulo (-1.1%). This estimate remained stable in the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre.  The annual comparison shows that all the metropolitan areas had increase of the average real income. The highlights were the metropolitan areas of Recife and Belo Horizonte, where the positive change was about 5.0%.