The unemployment rate reached 9.0% in the moving quarter ending in November 2015, 0.3 percentage points above the rate of 8.7% registered between June and August. Compared with the same moving quarter in the previous year, when the rate was estimated at 6.5%, an increase was also recorded (2.5 percentage points). The unemployed population (9.1 million persons) rose 3.7% (more 323 thousand persons) in relation to the quarter from June to August and increased 41.5% (more 2.7 million persons) when compared with the same quarter in 2014. The employed population (92.2 million persons) remained stable when compared with the moving quarter ended in August. Compared with the same quarter in 2014, this estimate dropped 0.6% (less 533 thousand persons). The number of workers with a formal contract remained stable against the quarter ended in August and dropped 3.1% (less 1.1 million persons) over the same quarter in 2014. The average usual real earnings from all jobs (R$ 1,899) remained stable against the quarter from June to August (R$ 1,913) and in relation to the same quarter in 2014 (R$ 1,923). The usual real wage bill earned from all jobs for the quarter ended in November (R$ 169.9 billion) did not also show any statistically-significant change in both periods of comparison. The complete publication of the Continuous PNAD can be accessed here.

Continuous PNAD Indicators are calculated for moving quarters according to data from the latest three months of the survey. The rate for the quarterly moving average ending in November 2015 was calculated considering information collected in September 2015, October 2015 and November 2015. Information used to calculate indicators for the moving quartes ending in October and November, for example, have a percentage of data repetition of about 66%. This repetition is only interrupted after a period of three quarters. Additional information on the survey methodology is available here.

In the quarter September to November 2015, there were about 9.1 million unemployed persons in Brazil. This estimate corresponded to 8.8 million in the quarter June to August 2015, with increase of 3.7% or 323 thousand persons more. Versus the equivalent quarter a year ago, this estimate increased 41.5%, meaning an increase of 2.7 million unemployed persons in the workforce.

The number of employed persons was estimated at 92.2 million. There was no statistically significant change in this population figure versus that of June to August 2015. Compared with the same quarter in 2014, there was decrease of 0.6%, a decline by 533 thousand persons.

The number of workers with a forma contract was stable in comparison with the quarter June to August 2015. Versus the same quarter a year ago, there was decrease of 3.1%, about 1.1 million persons. Employers did not record signficant change, either in relation to the quarter June to August 2015, or in relation to the quarter September to November 2014. Self-employed workers recorded increase of 2.1% in relation to the quarter June to August 2015, with increase of 458 thousand persons, 4.5%, when compared with the quarter September to November 2014, that is, with a change of 969 thousand persons.

The analysis of the number of employed persons by groups of activity, in relation to the quarter June to August 2015, shows decrease of 2.9% in general industry (-379 thousand persons), of 2.5% in agriculture (-241 thousand persons) and of 6.7% in information, communication, and financial, real state and administrative activities (-708 thousand persons). There was also increase of 6.1% in construction (446 thousand persons), of 4.7% in domestic services (284 thousand persons), of 3.0% in transportation, storage and mailing (129 thousand persons) and 2.3% in public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (348 thousand persons). Versus the quarter September to November 2015, the groups recording increase were: domestic services (5.2%); lodging and feeding (4.9%); transportation, storage and mailing (4.6%); and public administration, defense, social security, education, human health and social services (2.2%). Information, communication and financial, real estate and administrative activities (-6.3%) and general industry (-6.1%) faced decline.

The average usual real earnings from all the activities of employed persons was estimated at R$ 1,899, stable in comparison with the quarter June to August 2015 (R$ 1,913) and with the same quarter last year (R$ 1,913). In comparison with the same quarter a year ago, the group trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles recorded a decrease of 4.1%.

The earnings of workers without a formal contract in the private sector increased 6.0% versus that of the quarter June to August 2015. In comparison with the quarter September to November 2014, domestic and sel-employed workers recorded decrease of income (2.4% and 5.5%, respectively). All the other categories of employment type maintained their stability.

The average usual real wage bill from all activities was estimated at R$ 169.9 billion reais, with stability in relation to the quarter June to August 2015, and in comparison with the same quarter in 2014.