Brazil created 165,827 formal jobs in August 2026, surpassing market expectations of 95,700 and accelerating from the 58,568 positions registered in July. This was the strongest monthly result since March, reflecting 2,294,563 hires and 2,128,736 layoffs during the period.
Job growth was broad-based across all five major sectors of economic activity. Services led the gains with an increase of 110,346 positions, followed by construction (+20,848), industry (+16,613), commerce (+16,565), and agriculture (+1,452).
All Brazilian states recorded employment growth. São Paulo reported the largest increase in absolute terms, with 42,533 new jobs, while Paraíba posted the highest relative gain, at 1.59%.
The August balance was positive for both genders, with 81,838 jobs created for men and 83,989 for women. Among younger workers, 128,997 positions were added for people aged up to 24. By educational level, individuals with completed secondary education registered the strongest advance, with 100,939 new jobs.
The average real hiring wage stood at R$2,410.74, remaining broadly stable compared with July. Year-to-date, formal employment increased 2.41%, with a cumulative gain of 1,134,033 jobs.
