Brazil Jobless Rate Rises to 6.1%, Lowest for a March Quarter Since 2012

Overview

• Brazil’s unemployment rate reached 6.1% after Thursday’s IBGE release, up from 5.1% in late 2025 as temporary holiday jobs ended.
• The quarter ended March counted 6.6 million unemployed and 102.0 million working, while long-term unemployment fell 21.7% to 1.089 million, the smallest since 2012.
• Average real monthly pay hit a record R$3,722 and the total wage bill reached R$374.8 billion, with 15 states and the Federal District also setting pay records.
• The jobless rate rose in 15 states, led by Amapá at 10% and with Santa Catarina lowest at 2.7%, and informality stood at 37.3% nationally and 57.6% in Maranhão.
• Brazil closed 2025 with a 5% rise in formal jobs to 59.971 million led by services, yet gaps persisted with unemployment at 7.6% for Black people and 7.3% for women.