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Accelerated Income Outside of the Payroll Reveals Deep Changes in the Labor Market and Pressures Companies to Reconsider Traditional Models.
The income of self-employed and informal workers showed strong expansion in the second quarter of 2025, according to data from Ipea, and, therefore, quickly changed the configuration of the Brazilian labor market. Although formal workers still receive the highest amounts, those without a formal contract advanced more rapidly. Thus, self-employed workers grew by 5.6% and informal workers by 6.8%, while CLT recorded only 2.3% compared to 2024.
This jump occurred even though the average formal income was still higher — R$ 3,171, compared to R$ 2,955 for self-employed and R$ 2,213 for informal workers — and, therefore, highlighted that the dynamism has shifted away from formal employment. Moreover, according to Ipea, the income of those without a formal contract reached its highest level since 2012, when the historical series began.
According to Sandro Sacchet de Carvalho (Ipea), this trend followed the post-pandemic recovery, as self-employed and informal workers were the most affected during the phases of health restrictions. Thus, with the return to activities, these groups quickly regained the purchasing power lost.
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High Burdens Drive Pejotization and Reduce CLT Adjustments
The difference in growth is also linked to the burden of national taxation. According to the National Treasury, the tax burden reached 32.3% of GDP in 2024, which, therefore, reduced companies’ margin to grant wage adjustments. According to João Eloi Olenike (IBPT), burdens such as FGTS (8%), employer’s INSS (20%), and social security contributions raise the cost of formal workers to 40% to 50% of wages, according to CNI (2025).
Because of this, pejotization has gained strength and has become an alternative for companies and workers. According to Sacchet (Ipea), the expansion of MEI accelerated the process, as more qualified professionals migrated to this regime and thus increased the average income of self-employed workers. Additionally, according to Humberto Aillon (Fipecafi), the savings obtained from reducing burdens are typically reinvested in technology and productivity.
Digital Platforms Expand Occupation and Influence Earnings
The advancement of self-employed income is also linked to the growth of digital platforms. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of app workers increased by 25.4%, rising from 1.3 million to 1.7 million, according to the IBGE, thus consolidating a new occupational model. In the 3rd quarter of 2024, these professionals represented 1.9% of the Brazilian workforce.
According to the survey, platform workers received an average income of R$ 2,996, higher than that of non-platform workers (R$ 2,875). However, as they worked 44.8 hours per week, compared to 39.3 hours, the income per hour was lower: R$ 15.4 versus R$ 16.8. Even so, flexibility and control over working hours continue to attract workers, according to an assessment by FGV Ibre.
Minimum Wage, Ageism, and Education Also Influence Earnings
Another determining factor is the so-called lighthouse effect, mentioned by Fernando de Holanda Barbosa (FGV Ibre). With each adjustment of the minimum wage, self-employed and informal workers recalculate their prices based on the new national minimum, which, therefore, increases their earnings. In addition, the reduced presence of young people — a group that earns less — has increased the average real income of the employed population.
Education also has a direct impact on income. According to researchers, the increase in average education levels has raised overall earnings even without significant real advancements in wage brackets.
Risks, Challenges, and Predictions for the Future of Self-Employment Income
Despite higher earnings, the absence of CLT benefits — such as 13th salary, vacation, and expanded social security protection — may incur costs in the long term. However, workers registered as MEI maintain coverage from INSS, which reduces some of these risks.
For the IBPT, without reforms that reduce burdens and update the labor model, informality may become the “new normal”, and thus, will require a balance between social protection, legal security, and competitiveness. Therefore, since 2022 and strongly in 2025, Brazil is undergoing a transformation that repositions flexibility, direct negotiation, and new forms of work at the center of the national market.
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