The unemployment rate was estimated at 13.2% in the moving quarter ended February 2017, with increase of 1.3 percentage points versus the preceding moving quarter (September to November 2016 -11.9%) and of 2.9 percentage points versus the same moving quarter in 2016, when the estimated rate was 10.2%. That was the highest unemployment rate in the time series, which started in 2012.

The unemployed population amounted to 13.5 million and hit the record of the series initiated in 2012. This figure was 11.7% bigger (1.4 million persons more) than in the quarter ended November 2016 and 30.6% above that of the same quarter in 2016 (which means more than 3.2 million persons looking for a job).

The employed population (89.3 million) fell both against the quarter ended November 2016 (-1.0%, or minus 864 thousand persons), and the same quarter in 2016 (-2.0%, or minus 1.8 million persons).

The average usual real earnings (R$ 2,068) in the quarter ended February 2017 remained stable in relation to the previous quarter (R$ 2,049) and also, against the same quarter in 2016 (R$ 2,037). Theusual real wage bill (R$ 180.2 billion) in the quarter ended February 2017 remained stable in both comparisons.

The employment population ratio (indicator which measures the percentage of employed persons at working age) was estimated at 53.4% in the quarter of February 2017, with a decrease of 0.7 against the quarter of November 2016 (54.1%). In comparison with the same quarter in the previous year, this indicators recorded a decrease of 1.8 percentage points, with a change from 55.1% to 53.4%. This is the lowest level in the time series initiated in 2012.

Workforce (employed and unemployd persons) in the quarter February 2017 was estimated at 102.9 million persons. This popultion increased 0.5% in comparison with that of the quarter November 2016. Versus the same quarter a year ago, there was hike of 1.4% (1.4 million persons more). It is worth mentioning that workforce increased due to the increase of the unemployed population.

The number of persons out of the workforce in the quarter February 2017 (64.6 million metric tons) was stable in comparison with that of November 2016 and increased 1.1% (more 730 thousand persons) in relation to the same quarter in 2016.

The number of workers with a formal contract in the preivate sector (33.7 million persons) decreased both versus the quarter November 2016 (-1.0% or 337 Thousand persons) and against the same quarter in 2016 (-3.3%, or 1.1 million persons).

In the quarter ended February 2017, the category of workers without a formal contract in the private sector (10. million persons) was stable agains the figure in the previous quarter and increased 5.5% (531 Thousand persons more) agains the same quarter in 2016.

The number of self-employed workers (22.2 million persons) was stable versus that in the previous quarter and recorded decrease (-4.8%, minus 1.1 thousand persons) against the same quarter in 2016.

The number of employers (4.1 million persons) was stable in comparison with that in the previous quarter and increased 9.5% (359 thousand persons more) against the same period in 2016.

The category of domestic workers , estimated at 6.0 million persons, remained stable in both of the quarters.

Agriculture and Construction had the smallest numbr of workers since 2012

In the quarter February 2017, the groups of activity Agriculture (8.8 milllion) and Construcyion(6.9 million) had the smallest number of employed persons since the beginning of the survey in 2012. On the contrary, Lodging and feeding reached the biggest number of persons employed (5.0 million) since the beginning of the time series in 2012.

In the comparison with the previous quarter, there were decreases in Public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (-4.4%, or -702 thousand persons) and in General industry (-2.0% or -225 thousand persons). Increase was recorded by Lodging and feeding (+3.5%, or +169 thousand persons) and Information, comumunication and financial, real estate, professional and administrative activities(+2.2% or +215 thousand persons). The other groups remained stable.

Versus the same quarter in 2016, there was increase in the group Lodging and feeding , +9.0% (+409 Thousand persons). Decreases were recorded in Construction, -9.7% (-749 thousand persons), Agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquiculture , -7.4% (-702 thousand persons), General industry, -4.3% (-511 thousand persons) and Domestic services, -3.1% (-193 thousand persons). The othr groups did not record any changes.

Earnings of the employed population records stability

The average usual real earnings of the employed population was estimated at R$ 2,068 in the quarter of February 2017, with continued stability agains the result of the preceding quarter (R$ 2,049) and, also, eagainst the same quarter in 2016 (R$ 2,037).

The average usual real earnings increased only for Civil servants: 3.2% against the previous quarter (September to November 2016) and 5.1% against the same quarter a year ago (December 2015 - February 2016). The other employment types recorded stability in both periods analyzed.

All the groups of activity recorded stability agains results of the previous quarter, except Public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services , which recorded a positive change of 3.4%. In comparison with the same quarter in 2016, only two groups recorded increases : Agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquiculture(+6.9%) and Public administration, defense, social security, education, huma health and social services (+3.6%). The other groups remained stable.