In the latest Brazil news, some Brazilian states boast unemployment rates on par with wealthy countries. Brasil’s stats agency IBGE says 25 out of 27 states saw lower jobless rates this quarter.
However, much like Europe, where countries like Sweden and Croatia differ significantly in development and wealth, unemployment rates also vary greatly across Brazilian states.
States like Rondônia, Mato Grosso, and Santa Catarina report rates far below 5%. These figures compare well with OECD countries, where the average is 4.8%.
Good weather has boosted agriculture in many states. The National Supply Company expects a record grain harvest of 320.1 million tons.
This upswing in farming helps job numbers, especially in states like Mato Grosso.
But it’s not just farming.
Mato Grosso’s industrial production rose 7.8% in a year. Retail sales, including cars and building materials, increased by 6.7%.
In Santa Catarina, a diverse economy keeps jobless numbers low. In the first half of this year, 61.5 thousand new jobs emerged.
Most were in industry and services.
However, low unemployment isn’t always good news. Rondônia has the country’s lowest rate but also a high rate of informal jobs.
About 48.4% of work there is informal.
Meanwhile, states like Pernambuco and Rio have jobless rates over 10%. These states face economic and structural issues.
For example, Rio has grown only 0.71% per year from 2002 to 2020.
In summary, some Brazilian states match OECD countries in job numbers. Others struggle with high unemployment due to various issues.
Context
Brazil has long struggled with inequality, including in the job market. This inequality often shows up between different states.
For example, the prosperous southern states usually have better job prospects.
On the other hand, the northeast faces higher unemployment due to climatic and structural issues.
Historically, the Brazilian economy has relied on agriculture. But in recent years, industry and services have grown.
This diversification helps in reducing unemployment in some states. Yet, it also makes the job market more complex and varied.
Previously, states with natural resources, like oil, had a steady job market.
However, economic shifts and global trends have changed this, and states with diversified economies or booming agriculture tend to fare better.
State Unemployment Rates in Brazil:
– Rondônia: 2.4%
– Mato Grosso: 3.0%
– Santa Catarina: 3.5%
– Mato Grosso do Sul: 4.1%
– Paraná: 4.9%
– Roraima: 5.1%
– Rio Grande do Sul: 5.3%
– Minas Gerais: 5.8%
– Goiás: 6.2%
– Espírito Santo: 6.4%
– Tocantins: 6.5%
– São Paulo: 7.8%
– Ceará: 8.6%
– Pará: 8.6s
– Distrito Federal: 8.7%
– Maranhão: 8.8%
– Acre: 9.3%
– Alagoas: 9.7%
– Piauí: 9.7%
– Amazonas: 9.7%
– Rio Grande do Norte: 10.2%
– Sergipe: 10.3%
– Paraíba: 10.4%
– Rio de Janeiro: 11.3%
– Amapá: 12.4%
– Bahia: 13.4%
– Pernambuco: 14.2%