The number of companies not Brazil continues in growth trajectory. In March 2025, the country overcame the mark of 64 million Registered CNPJs7.72% advance over the same month last year. The numbers are from the second edition of the study “CNPJS do Brasil”, prepared by Bigdatacorp, which shows that, when only active companies are observed, the growth was even higher: 16.11%, from 21.8 million establishments to 25.3 million.
This growth has been specially driven by Micro and Small Enterpriseswith emphasis on Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEIs). Such enterprises have registered an expansion of 20.90% in the last 12 months and today represent 78.74% of all.
Small family businesses – with two or more members of the same family – appear as the second largest category, responding for 9.75% of the total. In all, 88.49% of formal organizations in the country They fit these two classifications, reflecting significant changes in the economic scenario and the entrepreneurial profile of the population.
Own work and new market dynamics
One of the most observed phenomena is the migration of for the legal entity regime, which can be perceived in the nature of economic activities most chosen by new businesses. According to the survey, the areas of “Sales Promotion” and “Administrative Support” led the 2024 records, accounting for 6.76% of the CNPJs opened in the year.
There are also those who are doing this movement based on previous experiences in the formal market. Jefferson Mariano, an IBGE analyst and professor at Cásper Líbero College, explains that another form of observed is that of professionals who leave formal jobs (in dismissals on request or by decisions of companies), and provide services to the activities they were already performing.
“Many workers have been” pushed “into informality and end up opting to open a MEI as a way to stay economically active,” says the expert. In addition, there are also cases of those who keep two jobs, having the CNPJ active for activities that complement the income. “But it is worth remembering that, especially in these cases, not all informal work is linked to a CNPJ,” warns Mariano.
Continues after advertising
Gig economy em alta
And it is in this tune that an economic model based on autonomous or on demand, usually intermediated by digital platforms, has grown. In the so -called “Gig Economy”, professionals work without traditional employment relationship – often as MEIS, and receive for task or service provided (the gigs).
“The formalization of small businesses, especially in these cases, is the second major trend pointed out by the study,” says Thoran Rodrigues, CEO of Bigdatacorp. He cites as an example the increase in the number of records related to passenger and cargo transportation, segments that have been gaining ground among new entrepreneurs.
In addition to transportation, sectors such as small trade and beauty services – such as hairdressing and manicure halls – also continue to register strong adhesion of new CNPJs.
Continues after advertising
More openings (and more closures)
Despite the expansion scenario, the report also identified an increase in the number of companies closed over 2024. Proportionally, the mortality rate was the highest since 2021, the year still marked by the impacts of the pandemic.
One of the most affected segments was the delivery food, which lost space after the boom lived between 2020 and 2022. According to the study, 1.66% of the businesses that closed the doors in 2024 worked in this niche.
