Official data shows Brazil opened 306,111 formal job positions in February.

There were 2,249,070 admissions compared to 1,942,959 terminations in the second month of 2024.

The Brazilian labor market recorded a net opening of 306,111 formal job positions in February. The data is part of the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed (Caged) and was released by the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

The result for February exceeded the median estimate of financial institutions, asset managers, and consulting firms, which projected a net opening of 230,000 positions, according to Data.

The projections, all positive, ranged from 183,000 to 330,000. There were 2,249,070 admissions compared to 1,942,959 terminations in the second month of 2024.

The five sectors of the economy saw a net opening of formal job positions in February, according to the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed (Caged). There was a net opening in services (193,127); general industry (54,448); construction (35,053); commerce, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (19,724); and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and aquaculture (3,759).

In the first two months of 2024, four sectors achieved a net opening of positions: services (268,908); general industry (120,004); construction (81,774); and agriculture (25,751). Meanwhile, commerce and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles saw a net closure of 21,824 positions.

The average salary for newly hired employees with formal contracts decreased to R$ 2,082.79 in February, as reported in the New General Registry of Employed and Unemployed (Caged). In January, it was R$ 2,133.21.

On the other hand, the average salary stood at R$ 2,161.42 (422 USD) in February, compared to R$ 2,156.99 the previous month.