Record growth in industry in the Federal District boosts jobs and income in the capital.
The industrial sector reaches a historic milestone and reinforces its strategic role in local economic development.
247 - The Federal District is experiencing a historic moment in the industrial sector. According to the Brasilia AgencyAccording to data from the Annual Industrial Survey – Companies (PIA-Empresa) by IBGE, in 2023 the Federal District registered the highest number of industrial units with five or more employees since the beginning of the historical series in 2007.
A total of 1.408 industrial establishments were counted, responsible for net revenue of R$ 10,7 billion, reflecting sustained growth driven by public policies, professional training, and a favorable business environment.
Industry grows above average and diversifies production.
Although it represents only 3,9% of the local GDP, industry was the sector that grew the most in volume in 2022, with an increase of 8,4%, surpassing the service sector, which advanced 3,7%. The highlight was the food industry, with revenue of R$ 3 billion, followed by the non-metallic minerals sector, responsible for 27,9% of the Industrial Transformation Value (VTI). These figures consolidate the Federal District as a growing productive hub, based on innovation and diversification.
Professional qualification as an engine of growth
The Secretary of Economic Development, Labor and Income, Thales MendesHe highlighted the role of workforce training in strengthening the sector:
"What the industry needs most today is qualified people to fill any job openings that arise, and we are launching a package of nearly 50 professional qualifications to be completed by the end of the year."
the programs QualificaDF e Renova-DFThese programs, which together have already benefited more than 110 people as of August, offer free courses and financial assistance to participants. According to Mendes, training improves both employability and productivity.
"When employers hire someone who is already qualified, it's much cheaper because they don't need to train them within the company. It's a painstaking process, but in the end, everyone benefits."
Stories that transform lives.
Among those who benefited is Jessica Lopes, 28 years old, who found a new opportunity in Renova-DF:
“I was in a bad situation, owing four months of rent, strapped for cash, and going hungry. After Renova, it was something truly magical,” said the young woman, now employed in a bakery.
The program also received praise from the president of the Federation of Industries of the Federal District (Fibra). Jamal Jorge Bittar:
"It's a success. It generates training and income for people who need it. The GDF (Government of the Federal District) has been a great partner of the industry and the entire productive sector."
Emprega DF and the role of private investment
Among the structural actions, the Employment Program DF It has stood out by offering tax incentives to companies that generate jobs and invest in the capital. Currently, 40 companies participate in the initiative, totaling R$ 16 billion in revenue, 11 direct jobs and more than 44 indirect jobs. Major brands such as Amazon, Mercado Livre, Coca-Cola e ArcelorMittal These are among the beneficiaries, reinforcing the Federal District's vocation as a logistics and industrial hub.
These measures place Brasília among the five most attractive capitals for entrepreneurship, according to rankings by the Center for Public Leadership (CLP) and Endeavor.
Jobs are booming and salaries are above the national average.
Data from the Institute of Research and Statistics of the Federal District (IPEDF) shows that, in the first quarter of 2025, 67 people were employed in the local industry., an increase of 28,6% compared to the previous quarter. The average real income of the sector reached R$3.761, above the national average (R$ 3.315).
A Rais 2023 indicates that the sector employed 46.587 formal workers, with an average salary of R$4.206,74The largest employers are the food, non-metallic minerals and metallurgy sectors, while the best salaries are found in the electricity and gas (R$ 15.133), waste management (R$ 6.776) and pharmaceuticals (R$ 5.467) sectors.
Construction industry and favorable business environment
The construction industry is responsible for 51,3% of the added value of the industrial sector in the Federal District. The president of Sinduscon-DF, Adalberto Valadão JuniorHe emphasized that measures such as the reduction of the ITBI (Property Transfer Tax) and the approval of the PPCUB (Urban Development Plan) were decisive:
"The land subdivision law and the reduction of the ITBI (Property Transfer Tax) boosted sales and brought fiscal fairness. All of this generates business and benefits for those who are most important at the end of the day, which is the population of the Federal District."
New technologies and opportunities
The favorable environment attracted innovative companies, such as... BubbleDeck, which uses Danish technology to reduce the use of concrete in construction. The director Bruno Goretti explains:
"Brasília is a city of entrepreneurs. We came to do business and bring new and sustainable technology to a place like this."
the worker José da Cruz Martins, currently in charge of production at the company, confirms the positive impact:
“This job had a very significant impact on my life. I was able to provide stability for my family. The quality of life changed with my children and my wife.”
The industrial development in the Federal District thus reflects a a development model based on partnerships between government, businesses, and workerscapable of generating jobs, income, and innovation in one of the country's most dynamic urban centers.
