Social programs are shrinking in Brazil and reveal a curious fact in 2025: even at their lowest level since 2022, benefits still contribute to the income of 18 million households, demonstrating the silent strength of aid in family budgets and exposing a new portrait of social dependence in the country.

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 08/05/2026 at 18:30

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Government benefits reached 22.7% of households in 2025, according to IBGE, after two consecutive years of decline, but still appear in the income of 18 million Brazilian homes, maintain a weight above the pre-pandemic period, and show how Bolsa Família, BPC/Loas, and other aids continue to influence family budgets in the country.

The government social programs were part of the income of 18 million Brazilian households in 2025, according to data released by IBGE in the Continuous PNAD: income from all sources.

The proportion reached 22.7% of households, below the 23.6% recorded in 2024. Therefore, the indicator fell by 0.9 percentage points in one year and reached its lowest level since 2022.

Even so, the reach of benefits remains above the pre-pandemic period. In 2019, social programs were present in 19.7% of households.

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Recent decline still keeps benefits at a different level

The reduction occurs after two consecutive years of decline. However, according to Gustavo Geaquinto Fontes, PNAD analyst, the country is still experiencing a different scenario from the pre-pandemic period.

According to him, there was a slight decrease in the number of households reached by social programs. However, 2020 and 2021 were atypical years, due to emergency aid.

Thus, despite the recent decline, data shows that benefits continue to have significant weight in the income of Brazilian families.

Average value of social programs stands at R$ 870

The average value received through social programs was R$ 870 in 2025. Therefore, there was a decrease of R$ 5 compared to 2024, when the value was R$ 875.

Even so, compared to 2019, the average income grew by 71.3%. In that year, the average value was R$ 508.

This total considers transfers made at the federal, state, and municipal levels.

Share in per capita income also falls

Meanwhile, the participation of social programs in per capita income decreased from 3.8% to 3.5%.

According to IBGE, this decrease occurred due to the stability in the average amount paid and the total number of people assisted by the aids.

Despite this, the weight of benefits remains higher in some regions. In the Northeast, they represent 8.8% of per capita income. In the North, the share reaches 7.5%.

Bolsa Família leads, but loses share

Bolsa Família remains the main social program among beneficiary households.

In 2025, it was present in 17.2% of households. However, the proportion was below the 18.9% of 2023 and the 18.6% of 2024.

On the other hand, BPC/Loas advanced in the same period. Participation increased from 5% to 5.3% between 2024 and 2025.

Meanwhile, other social programs also grew. They rose from 2.1% to 2.4% of households.

Income grows less among families with benefits

Finally, the average per capita income of households receiving some benefit rose from R$ 858 to R$ 886 in 2025.

Consequently, there was an advance of 3.26%. However, among families without benefits, growth was higher, reaching 6.41%.

Thus, IBGE data show that social programs lost participation, but remain essential for millions of households in Brazil.

If 18 million households still depend on these transfers, what does this drop reveal about the income of Brazilian families?

Recent decline still keeps benefits at a different level

Average value of social programs stands at R$ 870

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