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Only Two Out of Every Ten Economic Activities Recorded Layoffs in the 2nd Quarter of 2025, Says IBGE. Accommodation and Food Services and Domestic Services Experienced a Drop in Employment.
Brazil recorded a reduction in jobs in only two of the ten main economic activities in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from the Continuous National Household Survey (Pnad Contínua) released by IBGE this Tuesday (16).
Between April and July, the sectors of accommodation and food and domestic services were the only ones to show a drop in employment, while other areas created new jobs.
Sectors That Showed Layoffs
During the analyzed period, the accommodation and food sector recorded a loss of 95 thousand workers, and domestic services saw a reduction of 55 thousand positions.
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These numbers reflect a pinpoint contraction, while construction remained stable, with no significant variation in employment.
Activities That Boosted Employment
On the other hand, several sectors showed growth in employment. Public administration, defense, social security, education, human health, and social services generated 522 thousand new jobs.
Other sectors with increases in employment included:
- Industry: 67 thousand new positions
- Transport: 60 thousand
- Other Services: 102 thousand
- Agriculture: 206 thousand
- Commerce: 88 thousand
- Information, communication, and financial, professional, and administrative activities: 260 thousand
These figures indicate a pinpoint recovery in strategic segments of the economy, particularly in those linked to essential services and industry.
Annual Comparison
When compared to the same period in 2024, the data shows that most activities experienced growth.
Commerce increased by 398 thousand positions, industry by 580 thousand, and public administration and health added 677 thousand new hires.
Sectors like construction, other services, information, and transport also recorded significant increases, reinforcing the resilience of the labor market across various areas.
On the other hand, some activities still face annual reductions: Agriculture laid off 111 thousand workers, the accommodation and food sector had 64 thousand layoffs, and domestic services lost 137 thousand positions compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Context and Perspectives
These numbers reflect an economy in transition and adaptation, where certain sectors are undergoing adjustments while others are expanding.
According to experts, the maintenance of jobs in essential areas and growth in industrial and service sectors indicate a trend of gradual recovery in the labor market, even in the face of pinpoint challenges.
Moreover, the data emphasizes the importance of public policies and strategic investments to stimulate employment, especially in the sectors most vulnerable to layoffs, such as accommodation, food, and domestic services.
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