The unemployment rate among people aged 18 to 24 decreased compared to 12.8% in 2024, according to IBGE
The unemployment rate among people aged 18 to 24 reduced from 12.8% in the 4th quarter of 2024 to 11.4% in the 4th quarter of 2025 and reached the lowest level in the historical serieswhich began in 2012. Unemployment reached 1.6 million young people. The (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) released the data this Friday (20.Feb.2026). Here is the study (PDF – 7 MB).
The institute publishes the Continuous Quarterly PNAD (National Household Sample Survey) every 3 months. The survey provides more information about the Brazilian job market than the monthly survey sample.
The IBGE had already announced that the unemployment rate ended in 2025, the lowest level in the historical series. The Continuous Quarterly Pnad provides more details on the level of unemployment by age group, education, sex, skin color, regions and others.
According to IBGE data, the population aged 18 to 24 recorded the lowest level in the historical series, which began in 2012.
According to IBGE, the number of unemployed people in this age group was 1.9 million at the end of 2024. It fell to 1.6 million in the 4th quarter of 2025.
IBGE data reinforces data on a heated job market. In addition to Brazil having recorded the lowest unemployment rate in history in the 4th quarter of 2025, the employed population, the highest level in the historical series, which began in 2012.
The usual real average income of Brazilian workers was R$3,613, with .
ECONOMIC SCENARIO
With more people employed and income rising, consumption remains firm, while companies face higher salary costs. This scenario tends to fuel the so-called services inflation, considered more persistent and sensitive to the level of economic activity.
The Brazilian economy, in turn, shows clear signs of weakening. Brazilian industrial production after having an expansion rate of 3.1% in 2024. The services sector had , compared to 3.1% in the previous year. Commercial sales also slowed down and had .
Considered the preview of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the IBC-Br (Economic Activity Index) of the Central Bank. It had registered an increase of 3.7% in 2024.
The monetary tightening cycle helped to contain inflation and reduce the pace of economic activity, but the effects on employment tend to occur with a delay.
The (Central Bank) implemented a round of readjustments in the basic rate, the Selic, which started in August 2024 and ended in June 2025. During the period, the base interest increased from 10.5% to .
The Central Bank raised interest rates to control inflation, which was above the allowed range in 22 of the 37 months in government (PT), from January 2023 to January 2025. Currently, , with a tendency to remain below .
The Copom (Monetary Policy Committee) at the last meeting, in January, which is expected to cut the Selic rate at the next meeting, in March. Economists are still evaluating whether the start of the interest rate cut will begin with a reduction of 0.25 percentage points or 0.5 commercial points.
