The search for a high salary, stability and growth prospects continues to be the guiding principle for Brazilian workers when planning their career for the next five years.
According to the 69th edition of the Portraits of Brazilian Society: Professional Future survey, released this Friday (5) by the CNI (National Confederation of Industry) and carried out by Nexus, these traditional factors have overcome modern trends, such as remote work and reduced working hours.
The survey reveals that 28.7% of respondents consider their desired occupation, followed by job stability, cited by 22.4%, and the prospect of career growth, mentioned by 20.1%.
On the other hand, the priority to remote work was cited by 15.9% of those interviewed, and reduced working hours by only 9.8%.
For Cláudia Perdigão, a CNI specialist, this preference reflects the appreciation of the formal employment structure.
“This work structure continues to be the worker’s first option and that is what makes him continue to pursue this formal work relationship in the medium and long term”, he assesses.
The study reinforces that — CLT — is the most attractive for 36.3% of those looking for work, reaching 41.4% among young people aged 25 to 34.
Despite the high satisfaction with the current job — which reaches 95% of those interviewed —, the future is seen with caution.
Around 42.7% of Brazilians in five years. This insecurity is greater among older workers and is linked to the accelerated pace of technological innovations.
The research also highlights a bottleneck in qualifications, as it finds that less than 50% of the population has mastered complex digital skills, such as the use of AI or advanced spreadsheets.
This scenario generates a scenario where the worker is satisfied today, but fears that he will not be able to keep up with tomorrow’s demands.
For those who can visualize a professional objective, the main obstacles are external and practical:
- Lack of vacancies with good conditions: 22%
- Lack of practical experience: 17.6%
- Lack of training courses in the region: 16.9%
- Need to care for family members: 16.1%
Furthermore, the desire to be one’s own boss is real for 13.9% of Brazilians, with a focus on traditional businesses such as retail, beauty salons and restaurants.
The survey was carried out by Nexu, and interviewed 2,008 people over the age of 16 in all Brazilian states and the Federal District, between October 10th and 15th, 2025. The margin of error is two percentage points.
