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IBGE Points Out That 1.7 Million Brazilians Work Through Apps in 2024, With Higher Income, But Longer Hours and High Informality.
Work through Digital Platforms has grown significantly in Brazil in 2024, reaching 1.7 million people who have apps as their main source of income.
The survey, released this Thursday (10/17/2025) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), reveals that these professionals — mostly drivers and delivery workers — recorded income above the average of the private sector, but also longer hours and a higher rate of informality.
According to the study, the average monthly income of platform workers was R$ 2,996, a value 4.2% higher than that received by other private sector employees (R$ 2,875).
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However, this difference is explained by the higher workload, at 44.8 hours per week, or 5.5 hours more than other professionals.
Significant Growth of Work Through Digital Platforms
According to IBGE, the number of workers operating via digital platform increased from 1.3 million at the end of 2022 to 1.7 million in 2024 — a significant increase of 30%.
Although they represent only 1.9% of private sector employees, the growth shows the consolidation of this work model in the country.
The study is part of the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (Pnad Contínua) and was developed in partnership with the State University of Campinas (Unicamp) and the Public Labor Ministry.
App Drivers Lead Platform Work
Private transport apps continue to be the main source of income for most workers in the sector.
In 2024, 53.1% of platform workers (878,000 people) worked as app drivers, excluding taxis.
Next are delivery apps, with 29.3% (485,000 people), general and professional service platforms, with 17.8% (294,000), and apps aimed at taxi drivers, with 13.8% (228,000).
When all transportation modes are summed, including taxis, the total number reaches 964,000 drivers, equivalent to 58.3% of all workers who rely on apps to generate income.
Between 2022 and 2024, all categories showed growth, particularly general service platforms, which increased by 52.1% during the period.
Profile of App Workers
The survey shows that the sector is still predominantly male: 83.9% of app workers are men. The predominant age group is between 25 and 39 years, representing 47.3% of the total.
Regarding education, 59.3% have completed high school or have incomplete higher education, while 16.6% have completed higher education.
In terms of color or race, 45.1% identify as white, 41.1% as mixed race, and 12.7% as black.
Higher Income, But With More Hours of Work
Although the monthly earnings are higher than in the private sector, digital platform workers earn less per hour: R$ 15.40, compared to R$ 16.80 for non-platform workers.
This difference occurs because app workers dedicate more time to the activity. The average workload is 44.8 hours per week, while other employees work around 39.3 hours.
IBGE research analyst, Gustavo Geaquinto Fontes, explains that the salary difference between groups is related to the type of occupation:
“Among platform workers with higher education, many act as app drivers, in positions below their qualifications. This helps explain the lower earnings compared to others,” said the researcher.
⚠️ High Informality and Low Pension Contributions
The survey also revealed that informality predominates among app workers. In 2024, 71.1% were without formal registration, almost double that of those who do not depend on digital platforms (43.8%).
Only 35.9% contributed to the pension system, a figure well below the 61.9% of other workers. The regional disparity is striking: in the North, only 15.4% contribute, while in the South the percentage reaches 51.8%.
Southeast Concentrates More Than Half of App Workers
The Southeast is the region with the highest concentration of platform workers, bringing together 888,000 people, equivalent to 53.7% of the national total.
The Midwest and North experienced the highest percentage growth between 2022 and 2024, with increases of 58.8% and 56%, respectively.
Low Autonomy on Digital Platforms
IBGE’s survey shows that most app workers do not have autonomy over their activity. In 91.2% of cases, the amount received is determined by the digital platform.
Moreover, most depend on the apps to choose clients, set deadlines, and manage payments, which limits these professionals’ freedom.
The Picture of Digital Work in Brazil
IBGE’s study confirms that work through digital platforms has become a consolidated reality in Brazil.
Although it offers competitive income and flexibility, it also imposes long hours, high informality, and low autonomy.
For drivers and delivery workers, the challenge remains to balance time, income, and safety while the country advances in the debate on rights and regulation in the app universe.
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