Lowest unemployment in 13 years and expansion of the People's Gas program mark the last week of January.

247 - The end of last week and the month of January was marked by positive employment indicators and announcements regarding social programs and international agendas of the federal government, with particular emphasis on the drop in unemployment, the expansion of the "People's Gas" program, and President Lula's participation in the International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, in Panama.

The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reported on Friday (30) that the unemployment rate of 5,1% recorded in December is the lowest in at least 13 years, according to the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (Pnad Contínua).

The survey also indicated a decline in the country's annual unemployment rate. In 2024, the rate was 6,6%. In 2025, it fell to 5,6%, out of a total of 103 million people who make up the workforce, according to the data released.

The government's interpretation is that this is a continuation of an improving trend in the labor market, with positive effects on income, consumption, and tax revenue, in a context where formal employment also increased throughout the year.

New Caged data indicates 1,27 million formal job openings in 2025 and an increase in the number of formal workers.

Similarly, data from the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed Workers (Novo Caged) indicated that Brazil ended 2025 with a positive balance of 1.279.498 formal jobs.

The number of formally employed workers grew by 2,71% during the period, increasing from 47,19 million to 48,47 million active contracts, according to the report highlighted in Semana Gov. This data reinforces the recovery of formal employment as a central axis of labor market performance, with a direct impact on social protection and pension contributions.

The combination of a drop in unemployment as measured by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) and an expansion of formal employment, as measured by the New Caged (General Register of Employed and Unemployed Workers), was considered one of the main results of the beginning of 2026, following a year-end that maintained job creation as a sign of increased economic activity.

Lula in Panama defends the war against hunger and highlights multilateral trade.

Also this week, President Lula participated in the International Economic Forum – Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, in Panama, and argued that the region should prioritize tackling social inequality.

"The only war we need to fight in this part of the world is against hunger and inequality."

The meeting was organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean in partnership with the government of Panama and brought together political and economic leaders to discuss strategic challenges facing the region. In the president's view, the Latin American agenda must combine integration, cooperation, and development with the reduction of historical vulnerabilities.

During the event, Lula also linked the country's recent performance to attracting investments and upholding multilateral rules for international trade.

"In recent years, Brazil has attracted record volumes of foreign capital. We continue to promote fair and balanced international trade based on multilaterally agreed rules."

Participation in the forum was seen as part of a strategy to strengthen Brazil's presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, in a context of global economic disputes and pressure for coordinated responses to issues such as poverty, energy transition, and development financing.

European Union recognizes equivalence in data protection and government expands People's Gas program.

Among the week's announcements, Brazil and the European Union communicated the recognition of equivalence in standards for the protection of personal data and privacy. In practice, the initiative was presented as a step that creates a more favorable environment for cooperation in various areas, by aligning governance and information security parameters.

In the social sphere, the federal government has made progress in implementing the "People's Gas" program and included 17 new capital cities, which will now guarantee free cooking gas for low-income families. Semana Gov also highlighted the structuring of the service network.

More than 10 retail outlets are already accredited across all states, expanding the program's reach and distribution capacity, according to the released report. The measure aims to reduce one of the most sensitive costs in the budgets of vulnerable families, combining social policy and supply infrastructure.

Health, road safety, and rural credit are on this week's agenda.

In the health sector, the "Viva Mais Brasil" strategy was launched, described as a national mobilization focused on promoting health, preventing chronic diseases, and improving the quality of life of the population.

According to the Semana Gov highlight, R$ 340 million will be invested in policies promoting physical activity, with an emphasis on the reopening of the Health Academy. The initiative is expected to receive an additional R$ 40 million in 2026, as reported.

In the field of traffic safety, the Federal Highway Police carried out an operation on highways throughout the country focused on raising awareness among drivers about the risks of drinking and driving, reinforcing preventive action to reduce accidents.

In the family farming sector, the first six months of implementation of the 2025/2026 Harvest Plan showed significant results in expanding access to rural credit. Between July and December, the program reached 1.183.669 credit operations.

The volume represents a 20% increase compared to the same period of the 2024/2025 harvest and a 40% increase compared to the 2022/2023 harvest, totaling R$ 40,2 billion contracted, according to the figures highlighted in the program.

A snapshot of the beginning of 2026 with high employment and expanding public policies.

The data and measures compiled in Semana Gov suggest that 2026 will begin with favorable indicators in the labor market, with unemployment at its lowest level in over a decade and strong formal job creation throughout 2025.

At the same time, the week focused on announcements of public policies in sensitive areas, such as the cost of cooking gas for low-income families, the promotion of health, and access to rural credit. On the international front, President Lula's participation in Panama reinforced the government's emphasis on a regional agenda focused on development and reducing inequalities, with the explicit defense of social priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean.