The unemployment rate was estimated at 5.3%, the lowest in a month of October since the beginning of the series...

Unemployment rate records stability in four areas in relation to September  

By area, in the monthly analysis, the unemployment rate (proportion of unemployed persons in relation to the economically-active population, which is formed by the employed and the unemployed, increased in

Recife (from 5.7% to 6.7%), fell in São Paulo (from 6.5% to 5.9%) and was unchanged in the other areas). In the comparison with October 2011, the rate decreased in Salvador (2.4 percentage points) and in Rio de Janeiro (1.1 percentage points) and remained stable in the other areas. 

The unemployment rate was estimated at 5.3%, the lowest in a month of October since the beginning of the series (March 2002). It was stable in comparison with the September result (5.4%).  In comparison with October 2011 (5.8%), there was decline of 0.5 percentage points. The unemployed population (1.3 million persons) remained unchanged, both in comparison with September and with October last year. The employed population (23.4 million) recorded positive change of 0.9% over the September figure. Compared with October 2011, there was increase of 3.0%, what meant an increment of 684 thousand employed persons in a period of 12 months.  The number of workers with an employment record card signed in the private sector (11.5 million) did not record change in comparison with that of September.  In the annual comparison, there was increase (3.2%), representing an increment of 356 thousand job posts with a signed employment record card in one year.

The average real income of the employed population (1,787.70, the highest figure since March 2012) was considered stable in comparison with the result of September.   Compared with October lat year, the purchasing power of the employed population increased by 4.6%.  The volume of real income usually earned by the employed population (R$ 42.2 billion) increased by 1.6% versus the September result.  Over October 2011, volume became 7.9% bigger. The volume of real income usually earned by the employed population (R$ 42.2 billion) estimated in September 2012, increased by 1.6% in the month and by 8.6% in one year.  

The Monthly Employment Survey is conducted in the metropolitan areas of Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Porto Alegre.  The complete publication is available at www.ibge.gov.br/english/estatistica/indicadores/trabalhoerendimento/pme_nova/

The number of unemployed persons (those without a job who are trying to join the market) was estimated at 1.3 million persons in the group of six metropolitan areas surveyed, a result which is considered stable in relation to last September and also when compared with October 2011.  

The analysis by area showed change in the number of unemployed in relation to last September, in the Metropolitan Areas of Recife (increase of 17.9%) and São Paulo (decrease of 9.5%).  In relation to October 2011, there was decrease of this figure in the metropolitan areas of Salvador (23.3%) and Rio de Janeiro (18.8%) an increase in Recife (18.7%).

Employment level stays at 55.0%

The employment level (proportion of employed persons in relation to people at active age), estimated in October 2012, at 55.0% for the overall of the six regions, increased 0.5 percentage points in the monthly comparison and 1.0 percentage points compared with October last year.

By area, in the monthly comparison, this indicator rose in the Metropolitan areas of São Paulo (1.0 percentage points). Compared with October last year, there was increase in Salvador (2.6 percentage points), Recife (1.8 percentage points) and in Belo Horizonte (1.2 percentage points).

Considering the number of employed persons, according to the groups of economic activity, from September to October 2012, the survey showed  significant change only in the Construction groups, with a hike of 4.5% (80 thousand people).  In relation to October 2011, four groups recorded increase: Construction (8.5%), Education, health, public administration (4.8%), Trade, repair of motor vehicles and personal and domestic objects and Other Services (both 4.0%).

In the annual comparison, average income increases in five of the six regions

In the regional analysis, the average real income of workers in relation to September 2012, increased on the Metropolitan Areas of Rio de Janeiro (0.8%), Recife (0.7%) and São Paulo (0.5%). It presented a drop in Salvador and Belo Horizonte (1.2%) and stood stable in Porto Alegre. In the comparison with October last year, income recorded a high in Recife (7.8%), Belo Horizonte (7.1%), São Paulo (6.9%), Porto Alegre (6.6%) and Rio de Janeiro (2.1%). There was decline in Salvador (6.0%).

Regarding groups of activity, there were negative changes, in comparison with September, in three groups: Mining and quarrying industry, Manufacturing industry and distribution of electricity, gas and water (-1.0%), Education, health, social servces, public administration, defense and social security (-0.8%) and Domestic services (-1.7%). All the groups recorded positive changes in terms of the animal comparison.

In the classification by occupation categories, there was stability in the average real income usually earned, in comparison to September, only for self-employed workers, while other groups had negative changes: