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Five In Every Ten Brazilians Cannot Make It To The End Of The Month With Salary In The Account, Research Shows. Study By Serasa Reveals That 54% Of Workers Face Difficulties To Keep Salary Until The End Of The Month
A recent study pointed out that five in every ten Brazilians cannot make it to the end of the month with salary in the account, revealing the difficulty the population has in dealing with the cost of living and financial instability. The data comes from the Financial Health and Well-Being Research of Brazilian Workers 2025, conducted by SalaryFits in partnership with Serasa Experian.
According to the survey, 54% of Brazilian workers who are employed with a formal contract (CLT) or as a Legal Entity (PJ) are unable to keep their salary until the end of the month. Although the number is high, there was an improvement compared to 2024, when 62% were in this situation, indicating a possible financial reorganization among part of the population.
The Direct Impact On Financial Life
The fact that Brazilians cannot make it to the end of the month with salary in the account has clear repercussions: lower ability to build emergency savings and a higher risk of indebtedness. Only one in every four respondents stated that they could handle an unexpected expense of R$ 10,000, which shows the fragility of financial security for most.
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Moreover, 66% of respondents reported having faced financial problems in the last five years, with 17% still dealing with debts currently. Indebtedness, according to the research, also affects mental health: 43% suffer from irritability, while 39% report insomnia related to financial worries.
How Brazilians Are Trying To Make Ends Meet
To cope with the difficulty of stretching their salary, nearly half of the respondents turn to extra income sources, either through freelance work or support from family members. Others opt for the use of credit lines, such as credit cards, overdrafts, and personal loans. However, 5% of respondents stated they have no alternatives, leaving them exposed to the risk of default.
The survey also shows that the main destination for the budget is paying for essential items, such as food, water, electricity, and gas. Following those are financing and debts, followed by expenses on consumption and education.
Generational Differences
The research also revealed an interesting generational breakdown. The so-called Generation Z, comprised of young people born between the 1990s and 2010, is the only one that allocates a significant portion of their extra income to leisure. About 13% of this group prioritize entertainment, while 17% use credit cards more intensively.
On the other hand, Millennials (1981-1996) focus their spending on paying off debts and food. Generation X (1960-1980) also shows a focus on paying off debts, along with frequent use of credit cards. These patterns demonstrate how different age groups deal with the same reality that many Brazilians cannot make it to the end of the month with salary in the account.
Possible Ways To Avoid Indebtedness
Experts argue that increasing access to credit under more suitable conditions, such as payroll loans, can help workers in difficulty. Additionally, financial education programs are identified as essential for the population to better manage their income, preventing a lack of planning from leading to new debts.
According to Délber Lage, CEO of SalaryFits, even with improvements compared to 2024, the cost of living still exceeds the income of millions of Brazilians. This reinforces the need for public policies that align salaries with the consumption reality of the population, as well as individual financial organization strategies.
And you, do you believe that this reality of Brazilians not making it to the end of the month with salary in the account can change in the coming years? What measures should be prioritized to alleviate the burden of bills? Share your opinion in the comments and join the discussion.
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