Datafolha survey shows that among young people 16 to 24 years old, 68% think it is better to be autonomous
Datafolha survey released on Friday (20.jun.2025) by the newspaper shows that 59% of Brazilians say they prefer to work on their own. Already 39% say they feel better when having employment.
The survey was conducted from 10 to 11 June. 2,004 people were interviewed in 136 municipalities in all regions of the country. The error margin is 2 percentage points, more or less.
This was the first time Datafolha asked if respondents preferred to be hired by a company or work autonomously.
According to the research, the preference for autonomy is greater among young people. It was the response of 68% of interviewees in the age group of 16 to 24 years. Among people over 60, 50% said they preferred to have a 45% autonomous job that they responded to want a job with a formal contract.
Among those who declared sympathy for the former president’s PL (Liberal Party), those who choose their work on their own add up to 66% against 33% of those who prefer to be hired by someone.
Among those who feel the largest connection with the PT (Workers Party), the president, the percentages are 55% and 43%, respectively.
The research points out that the appreciation of CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws) has decreased in the last 3 years. The percentage of Brazilians who consider it most important to have formal registration even with a lower salary fell from 77% to 67% from 2022 to 2025.
Asked about “What is most important”, The interviewees answered:
- work with a formal contract, even with a lower remuneration: 67% (77% in 2022);
- work without a formal contract, but with a greater remuneration: 31% (were 21%)
- You don’t know: 2% (were 2%).
According to Datafolha, 71% of women said they considered it more important to work with a formal contract, even if the remuneration is lower. The percentage drops to 62% among men.
Among PT voters, 73% said it is best to have a employment relationship, with guaranteed labor rights, even with a lower remuneration. Already among those who declare vote in the PL, the percentage is 54%.
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