The retail sector hired the most people in 2011.

Flávia Villela
Reporter from Agência Brasil

Rio de Janeiro - The retail sector was the largest employer in the country in 2011, accounting for 18,9% of the total (8,5 million people), followed by manufacturing (18,2% or 8,2 million people) and public administration (17% or 7,7 million). Administrative activities and support services and construction absorbed 9% (4,1 million people) and 6,4% (2,9 million), respectively.

The data are part of the 2011 Central Business Register Statistics survey (Cempre), released today (24) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Of the 52,2 million people employed in these companies, 45,2 million (86,6%) were salaried workers and 7 million (13,4%) were partners or owners.

The number of companies and other organizations remained the same as the previous year, but total employment grew by 4,9% (2,4 million), salaried employment by 5,1% (2,2 million), and the number of partners and owners by 3,8% (256,2). Salaries and other remuneration totaled R$ 1 trillion.

From 2010 to 2011, 2,2 million jobs were created, with 499,5 in commerce (22,9%), 271,7 in public administration, defense and social security (12,4%), and 269,6 in construction (12,3%).

Compared to 2010, total wages and other remuneration increased by 8%, and the average monthly wage by 2,4%, in real terms, reaching R$ 1.792,61 (3,3 minimum wages). The survey considered the average minimum wage of R$ 510 in 2010 and R$ 544 in 2011.

Of the 5,1 million companies and other formal organizations (public administration, non-profit entities, individuals, and extraterritorial institutions) active in 2011, 89,9% were business entities. They absorbed 75,5% of the total employed personnel, 72,4% of salaried employed personnel, and paid 63,4% of salaries and other remuneration.

Public administration represented 0,4% of organizations and employed 18,1% of total workers, 20,9% of salaried workers, and 30,2% of wages and other remuneration. Non-profit entities represented 9,7% of organizations and employed 6,4% of total workers, 6,6% of salaried workers, and 6,3% of wages paid during the year.

Edited by: Talita Cavalcante