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Supported by Oil and Stringent Fiscal Management, Macaé Excels Among Large Cities by Investing in Education, Professional Qualification, and Job Creation, While Maintaining Balance in Public Accounts.
Located in the northern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Macaé has consolidated a unique trajectory over the past few years. Despite representing about 1.5% of the state’s population, the municipality has managed to transform the strength of oil and gas into a vector for sustainable growth, combining robust revenue with public policies aimed at education and employability.
With approximately 246,000 inhabitants, the city has built a favorable investment environment by combining rigorous financial planning with strategic use of revenues from the oil industry. Thus, even in the face of adverse economic scenarios in the country, Macaé has maintained its capacity for investment and expansion of essential services.
Fiscal Management Puts Macaé at the Top of National Ranking
The municipality’s financial performance has gained prominence in a survey by Austin Rating. In the Fiscal Indicators ranking, Macaé reached first place among large municipalities. The result reflects consistent advances in own revenue, expense control, efficient budget execution, and increased public investments.
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The rise in oil prices could ensure an extra revenue of R$ 100 billion for the Federal Government, indicates a recent economic study.
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Naturgy begins an investment of R$ 1.6 million to expand the gas network in Niterói and benefit thousands of new residences and businesses.
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A major turn in the Justice system suspends tax increases and directly impacts oil and gas companies in Brazil by affecting costs, contracts, and financial planning, leaving uncertain what could happen to the sector if these costs had increased.
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Brava Energia begins drilling in Papa-Terra and Atlanta and could change the game by reducing costs in oil while increasing production and strengthening competitiveness in the offshore market.
Additionally, the municipality achieved the best position among cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants in the payment capacity indicator. This factor demonstrates not only fiscal solidity but also administrative predictability, a fundamental element for attracting private investments and enabling long-term public policies.
Oil Royalties Sustain Structural Investments
The oil sector continues to play a strategic role in the local economy. The historic Offshore Support Base in Macaé, established in the 1970s, underwent a significant modernization process starting in 2018. Since then, the structure has been converted into a port for special operations, expanding its capacity to meet high-complexity demands.
Today, the base supports underwater engineering activities, anchoring, and operation of ocean terminals. This repositioning has increased the municipality’s relevance in the oil and gas chain and reinforced its position in the national landscape.
The numbers confirm this importance. In 2023, Macaé was the third Brazilian municipality to receive the most oil extraction royalties, with transfers of approximately R$ 1.3 billion, according to data from the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP). These resources allow for increased investments without compromising the balance of public accounts.
Jobs and Professional Qualification Gain Prominence
During a panel at the Offshore Week event, Mayor Welberth Rezende (Cidadania) highlighted the social impact of the oil industry in the municipality. “For me, the greatest legacy of the oil sector is employability,” he stated.
According to the mayor, the oil and gas chain acts as a driver of professional qualification, creating opportunities for workers of different educational backgrounds. Additionally, the presence of large companies stimulates the diversification of services, commerce, and activities related to logistics and industry.
Heated Market Attracts Workers from Other Regions
For those living in the city, the effects of this dynamism are noticeable in their daily lives. Student Kaylane Azevedo, 22, reports that the local job market has become more attractive in recent years. “Salaries are good, there are people coming from other cities, like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, to work here,” she claims.
She notes that the economic movement generated by oil has not only increased job vacancies but also the availability of courses, academic selections, and educational institutions. This cycle strengthens the link between economic development and educational formation.
Education Grows Along with the Economy
Educational advancement accompanies the municipality’s good fiscal moment. Kaylane, currently a nutrition student at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), highlights that academic opportunities have arisen from public policies that expanded access to higher education.
In basic education, the indicators are also significant. In 2022, the enrollment rate for children and adolescents aged 6 to 14 reached 99.17%, one of the highest in the state of Rio de Janeiro. This result reinforces Macaé’s capacity to transform oil revenues into lasting social investments.
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