Unemployment remains virtually stable in June.
Last month, the total number of unemployed was 2,25 million, about 14 fewer people than in May; the rate fell from 10,9% in May to 10,8% in June, according to the Employment and Unemployment Survey (PED) by the State System of Data Analysis Foundation (Seade) and the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese).
Fernanda Cruz – Reporter for Agência Brasil
The unemployment rate in the country remained practically stable in June, according to the Employment and Unemployment Survey (PED) by the State System of Data Analysis Foundation (Seade) and the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese). Last month, the total number of unemployed was 2,25 million, about 14 fewer people than in May. The unemployment rate fell from 10,9% in May to 10,8% in June.
The employment level also remained stable in June. 25 jobs were created, a number higher than the 11 new workers who entered the job market. The total number of employed people was estimated at 18,6 million, and the economically active population at 20,8 million.
When comparing metropolitan regions, Salvador recorded the highest unemployment rate in June, 18,2% compared to 17,5% in May. Recife had 12,9% unemployment in June, compared to 12,8% in the previous month. In São Paulo, the unemployment rate was 11,3% in June compared to 11,4% in May.
In Belo Horizonte, the unemployment rate was 7,8% in June, compared to 8,1% in the previous month. Fortaleza had an unemployment rate of 7,4%, a one percentage point increase compared to May. Porto Alegre registered a 5,7% unemployment rate in June, compared to 6,2% in May.
Alexandre Loloian, technical coordinator of Seade, highlights the performance of the employment level in the retail sector in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, which fell 1,4% in June compared to May, meaning 22 jobs were lost.
"The performance of the retail sector in the first half of the year is below expectations, but the trend is for it to improve. Traditionally, the second half of the year, in the case of retail, is a period of recovery in activity levels," he assesses. According to him, it is likely that this poor result in São Paulo is related to the World Cup, since the replacement of business tourism with World Cup tourism was detrimental to the sector.
Across the country, the average income of employed workers reached R$ 1.725 in June, representing a 0,9% decrease compared to May. For salaried employees, the figure was R$ 1.728 – a 1,2% reduction compared to May.