Labor underutilization in Brazil
- Data for: Aug 2026
- Aug 2025: 14.1% (−1.00 pp)
- Source: IBGE, PNAD Contínua (SIDRA table 6441)
The composite labor underutilization rate was 13.1% in the quarter ending Aug 2026, according to the PNAD Contínua. A year earlier (Aug 2025), the figure was 14.1% (−1.00 pp).
Series used: composite labor underutilization rate (PNAD Contínua, SIDRA 6441). Data updated on .
Value at the end of each year
| Year | Composite labor underutilization rate |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through Aug 2026) | 13.1% |
| 2025 | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 15.2% |
| 2023 | 17.3% |
| 2022 | 18.5% |
| 2021 | 24.3% |
| 2020 | 28.8% |
| 2019 | 23.0% |
| 2018 | 23.9% |
| 2017 | 23.6% |
| 2016 | 22.3% |
| 2015 | 17.4% |
Analysis on this topic
How IBGE defines it
The composite underutilization rate adds three groups: unemployed people, people working too few hours and the potential labor force (those who would like to work but did not look or were not available). It is calculated over the extended labor force, which includes the potential group, and so it is much higher than the unemployment rate.
How to read the numbers
Values are rolling quarters: each point summarizes the three months ending in the month shown, which smooths out month-to-month swings. The PNAD Contínua is a household sample survey, so the figures have a margin of error and IBGE may revise them. IBGE does not publish this series for the quarters ending October and November 2015, so the chart connects September straight to December of that year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest value of "Labor underutilization"?
Composite labor underutilization rate: 13.1%, for Aug 2026. A year earlier (Aug 2025): 14.1%.
What does "Composite labor underutilization rate" mean?
The composite underutilization rate adds three groups: unemployed people, people working too few hours and the potential labor force (those who would like to work but did not look or were not available). It is calculated over the extended labor force, which includes the potential group, and so it is much higher than the unemployment rate.
Where does the "Labor underutilization" data come from and when is it updated?
The data come from IBGE, PNAD Contínua (SIDRA table 6441). This page shows the figure for Aug 2026 and the base was updated on Oct 26, 2026. The source may revise numbers already published.
Download the data and cite it
Full series in open format: CSV. Unit: % (rolling quarter ending in the month).
Updated . How to cite: dadobruto.com. Composite labor underutilization rate. Data: IBGE, PNAD Contínua (SIDRA table 6441). Updated Oct 26, 2026. https://dadobruto.com/en/brazil-in-numbers/labor-underutilization
License: You may copy and republish the data and charts, including commercially, under the CC BY 4.0 license. The condition is to credit "dadobruto.com" and, when published online, to link to dadobruto.com or to the page the data came from. The original numbers follow the rules of IBGE, PNAD Contínua (SIDRA table 6441).
Also searched as: labor underutilization rate, extended unemployment, U6 Brazil.