Economy, jobs and prices in João Pessoa, Brazil: official figures
João Pessoa's gross domestic product was R$ 28.4 billion in 2023 at current prices, 0.26% of Brazil's GDP and the 49th largest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities.
What is the GDP per capita of João Pessoa?
GDP per person in João Pessoa was R$ 34,106 in 2023, the 2442nd highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 98th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities; for Brazil as a whole it was about R$ 53,887.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow much of Paraíba state's economy is in João Pessoa?
João Pessoa produced 29.3% of the GDP of Paraíba state in 2023, while holding 21.7% of its 2026 population.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat are the main industries in João Pessoa?
In 2021, the latest year with a breakdown by sector, private services made up 59.5% of João Pessoa's gross value added, industry 17.4%, public administration, education and health 22.9% and agriculture 0.2% (Brazil: 50.7%, 25.8%, 15.8% and 7.7%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat does the economy of João Pessoa depend on?
The three activities adding the most value to João Pessoa's economy in 2021 were other private services (such as finance, property, transport, information and private education and health), public administration, defence, public education and health and social security, and trade and vehicle repair. Industry's share of value added was the 121st lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average salary in João Pessoa?
Salaried employees of companies and organisations in João Pessoa earned an average of R$ 3,623.58 a month in 2024 (2.6 minimum wages), the 532nd highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities and the 112th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: R$ 3,932.44).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyAre wages rising in João Pessoa?
The average monthly salary in João Pessoa rose from R$ 3,236.56 in 2022 to R$ 3,623.58 in 2024 in current reais (+12.0%; Brazil: +11.0%). In minimum wages it went from 2.7 to 2.6.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many people have formal jobs in João Pessoa?
Registered companies and organisations in João Pessoa employed 381,401 people at the end of 2024, 324,808 of them salaried, equal to 42.9% of the estimated population; the 64th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities (Brazil: 32.0%). Jobs are counted where the workplace is, so they include commuters.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyIs employment growing in João Pessoa?
Employment in registered firms and organisations in João Pessoa grew from 326,148 in 2022 to 381,401 in 2024 (+16.9%; Brazil: +8.4%).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyHow many companies are there in João Pessoa?
48,049 companies and other organisations were active in João Pessoa in 2024, about 54 per 1,000 residents (the 125th highest of 320 major Brazilian cities), and they paid R$ 14.9 billion in wages and other pay over the year.
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyWhat is the average income in João Pessoa?
The median monthly household income per person in João Pessoa was R$ 1,000 at the 2022 census, the 124th lowest of 320 major Brazilian cities and the 2299th highest of Brazil's 5,570 municipalities (Brazil: R$ 1,000).
Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copyMore figures
- At current prices, not adjusted for inflation, GDP per person in João Pessoa went from R$ 14,988 in 2010 to R$ 34,106 in 2023, a rise of 128%. Source: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) · saved copy
How João Pessoa compares with other cities in Brazil
GDP at current prices (2023)
João Pessoa ranks 47 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Santos | R$ 31.0 billion |
| 45 | Teresina | R$ 29.4 billion |
| 46 | Canoas | R$ 29.2 billion |
| 47 | João Pessoa | R$ 28.4 billion |
| 48 | Indaiatuba | R$ 28.3 billion |
| 49 | Vitória | R$ 28.3 billion |
| 50 | Londrina | R$ 28.0 billion |
GDP per person at current prices (2023)
João Pessoa ranks 223 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | GDP per person at current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Imperatriz | R$ 34,696 |
| 221 | Santana | R$ 34,620 |
| 222 | Vitória da Conquista | R$ 34,153 |
| 223 | João Pessoa | R$ 34,106 |
| 224 | Teresina | R$ 33,994 |
| 225 | Formosa | R$ 33,807 |
| 226 | Governador Valadares | R$ 33,488 |
Industry share of gross value added (2021)
João Pessoa ranks 200 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Industry share of gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 197 | Nossa Senhora do Socorro | 17.5% |
| 198 | Belo Horizonte | 17.5% |
| 199 | Lavras | 17.4% |
| 200 | João Pessoa | 17.4% |
| 201 | Vitória da Conquista | 17.3% |
| 202 | Viamão | 17.3% |
| 203 | Sarandi | 17.2% |
Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents (2024)
João Pessoa ranks 125 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Active companies and organisations per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Passos | 54.4 |
| 123 | Porto Seguro | 54.4 |
| 124 | Cachoeiro de Itapemirim | 54.2 |
| 125 | João Pessoa | 54.1 |
| 126 | Guaratinguetá | 54.0 |
| 127 | Jataí | 53.9 |
| 128 | Contagem | 53.9 |
Average monthly salary of formal employees (2024)
João Pessoa ranks 112 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary of formal employees |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Sabará | R$ 3,627.75 |
| 110 | Guarapuava | R$ 3,624.86 |
| 111 | Marília | R$ 3,624.01 |
| 112 | João Pessoa | R$ 3,623.58 |
| 113 | Caraguatatuba | R$ 3,619.64 |
| 114 | Embu das Artes | R$ 3,616.13 |
| 115 | Dourados | R$ 3,611.45 |
Average monthly salary in minimum wages (2024)
João Pessoa ranks 94 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average monthly salary in minimum wages |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Resende | 2.7 |
| 92 | Itaguaí | 2.7 |
| 93 | Várzea Paulista | 2.7 |
| 94 | João Pessoa | 2.6 |
| 95 | Uberlândia | 2.6 |
| 96 | Ribeirão Preto | 2.6 |
| 97 | Aracaju | 2.6 |
People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population (2024)
João Pessoa ranks 64 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | People employed by registered firms and organisations, % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Santa Cruz do Sul | 43.7% |
| 62 | Londrina | 43.4% |
| 63 | São Bernardo do Campo | 43.2% |
| 64 | João Pessoa | 42.9% |
| 65 | Presidente Prudente | 42.9% |
| 66 | Rio Claro | 42.7% |
| 67 | Varginha | 42.3% |
Median monthly household income per person (2022)
João Pessoa ranks 197 of 320, highest first.
| Rank | City | Median monthly household income per person |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Luís Eduardo Magalhães | R$ 1,025 |
| 195 | Lauro de Freitas | R$ 1,000 |
| 196 | Guarujá | R$ 1,000 |
| 197 | João Pessoa | R$ 1,000 |
| 198 | Montes Claros | R$ 1,000 |
| 199 | Suzano | R$ 1,000 |
| 200 | Cabo Frio | R$ 1,000 |
More on João Pessoa: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in Brazil
Sources
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Estatísticas do Cadastro Central de Empresas (CEMPRE) 2022-2024: local units, companies and organisations, employed persons, salaried employees, wages and average monthly salary (SIDRA table 9509; Brazil, states and the 320 listed municipalities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6512e29fcaa1…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Produto Interno Bruto dos Municípios, database 2010-2023 (text format, with layout): GDP, GDP per person and gross value added by sector for every municipality, with IBGE urban hierarchy, metropolitan region, Legal Amazon and semi-arid classifications, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1179047b0bcc…)
- Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE): Censo Demográfico 2022: mean and median monthly household income per person of residents of permanent private households, Brazil, states and municipalities (SIDRA table 10295), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 34331c7982e4…)
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