Jobs
Low unemployment and rising real pay: the job market remains firm
The PNAD Contínua unemployment rate was 5.3% in August 2026, down from 5.6% a year earlier. Average real income reached R$3,777.
The Briefing · Written Oct 4, 2026 · Numbers and charts update with each release
Unemployment rate
% of the labor force, last four years
Source: IBGE, PNAD Contínua
The rate rose early in the year, from 5.1% in December 2025 to 6.1% in March, and has fallen since: 5.8% in April, 5.6% in May, 5.4% in June and 5.3% in July and August.
Average real income, which already removes inflation, is 3.7% above August 2025 (R$3,777 against R$3,641). It dipped between April and June after peaking at R$3,804 in March, and is rising again.
What the number means for you
Out of every 100 people in the labor force, about 5 are looking for a job and not finding one
That is unemployment as measured by IBGE nationwide. A year ago it was 5.6%, so finding work is slightly easier.
The average paycheck buys more than a year ago
Real income already removes inflation. R$3,777 in August 2026 against R$3,641 in August 2025.
Unemployment is 0.3 points lower than in August 2025
The drop is small, but it comes with rising income, a good combination for consumption.
The next test: what would change the answer
What we do not know yet: formal-job creation from CAGED is volatile month to month: +165.8k in August against +55.9k in July. One month does not make a trend.
Unemployment rising again toward year-end. Between December 2025 and March 2026 it rose a full point; repeating the pattern would erase 2026's gain.
Real income below R$3,700. It would signal that the April–June dip was not a one-off.
Unemployment above 5.6%. That is the level of a year ago and would mean the improvement is over.
Questions readers ask
What is the PNAD Contínua?
IBGE's household survey measuring unemployment and income nationwide. It tracks rolling quarters, so the numbers move slowly.
What is the unemployment rate?
The share of the labor force (people working or looking for work) that is without a job and searching. People who are not looking are not counted.
What is real income?
Average usual income from work with the effect of inflation removed. If it rises, pay buys more; if it falls, it buys less.
How often is this data published?
Every month, by IBGE, for the rolling quarter ending in the previous month.